The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) has made an arrest in an early morning shooting that left one man dead.
According to a press release by NCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Cortney Morrison, around 2 a.m. Feb 28, deputies responded to a report of a person shot at 105 Sunflower Lane in Covington. When they arrived, they found a 24-year-old male in the front yard bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound. According to the release, the male, later identified as Jon Trevor Townley, was transported to a local area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was reportedly involved in an argument with another male on the scene. According to the release, during the argument, a shot was fired by Rita Mary Dugar, 26, in the direction of the victim. Dugar, of Canton, was reportedly arrested at the scene without incident. She is charged with murder.
According to the release, Townley’s body will be taken to the GBI State Medical Examiner’s Office by the Newton County Coroner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed. According to the release, autopsy and toxicology results are pending.
NCSO is still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office at 678-625-1400 or leave an anonymous tip at newtonsheriffga.org.