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Teenager killed in Covington gas station shooting
Crime - LOCAL

COVINGTON, Ga. – A shooting at a local gas station has left one teenager dead.

The shooting occurred on July 21 at a Chevron gas station on 11230 Highway 36 in Covington.

According to a narrative from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), officers responded to a “penetrating trauma call” at Piedmont Newton Hospital. The officers encountered the three victims of the shooting — two males and one female.

The males – identified as Kyler Durant, 19, and Keywond Gilstrap, 21, – stated that an “unknown vehicle” parked beside their vehicle and began to shoot at their car. When the shooting stopped, the two males realized the female had been shot.

The female was identified as Damenica Roddy of Covington. Roddy would later succumb to her injuries. She was 18 years old.

Durant and Gilstrap were not injured.

Police were unable to identify the suspect(s) involved in the shooting. The scene has since been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Department.


12-year-old arrested for bringing airsoft gun on school bus
Police Lights

NEWTON COUNTY — A 12-year-old middle school student faces several charges after allegedly bringing an airsoft BB gun on a school bus.

According to a news release from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the student — who was only identified as a male student at Clements Middle School — entered the school bus and reportedly hid the airsoft BB gun under the seat before exiting the bus at his school. The NCSO said that the gun “closely resembled” to that of a real Glock.

The gun was later discovered by students traveling to the Newton College & Career Academy after the bus hit a bump, causing the gun to fall to the floor.

The student was later arrested and faces two charges: Possession of a weapon on a school bus and disruption of school operations. He was transported to juvenile court shortly thereafter, according to the NCSO.

The Covington News reached out to Newton County Schools for comment, but have not immediately heard back. 

This is an ongoing story. The News will update this article once more information becomes available.