Senior Skip Day Shooting Kills Metro Atlanta Student

COVINGTON, GA — A Salem High School student was fatally shot Wednesday at a gathering held for Newton and Rockdale County schools for Senior Skip Day, authorities said.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday said the shooting, happening around 5 p.m. at Denny Dobbs Park, claimed the life of Justin Etienne, 18, of Conyers. After suffering from a gunshot wound, authorities said Etienne died at a hospital.

Authorities said the shooting was isolated though they did not identify a suspect. They added the shooting did not involve a gang, and no one else was injured.

Newton and Rockdale students had gathered at the park for Senior Skip Day, a longtime metro Atlanta staple among high-school students that involves them skipping school.

Salem High is located in Conyers. School resource officers and the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office are assisting with the investigation, authorities said.

Authorities asked anyone with information on the shooting to call investigators at (678) 625-1589 or (678) 625-1419. They requested parents speak to their children to determine if they were at the park during the shooting.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via the Newton County Sheriff's Office tip line or at its secondary crime analyst tip line.

"Sheriff Ezell Brown and the entire Newton County Sheriff’s Office extend their deepest condolences to the family of Justin Etienne during this time," authorities said in a news release.