A tragic occurrence unfolded in Covington, Georgia, where local resident, Troy Eaton, was reportedly fatally shot by his 85-year-old father, Wayne Eaton. The incident occurred at their family-owned Lakeview Drive Tournament Lakes, a favored destination among fishing enthusiasts, on the evening of July 12, 2024.
Local authorities were summoned to the scene around 7 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon reaching the location, officers discovered Troy Eaton, aged 60, lifeless inside the property’s bait shop. His father, Wayne Eaton, was apprehended at the scene without resistance. He now faces charges of malice murder and illegal possession of a firearm during the perpetration of a crime and is currently detained at Newton County Jail.
Troy’s daughter, Tiffany Eaton Cartledge, shared her heartbreak over the incident on social media, painting a picture of her father as a vital community member and a doting grandparent. “He was very fair and loved with all his heart,” she posted on Facebook. “He was constantly active, yet he always made time for his grandchildren. He cherished his family, his lakes, and his community.”
Troy Eaton managed the Lakeview Drive Tournament Lakes in his mother’s memory, making it a beloved meeting place for local anglers. The Lakeview Drive property, once owned by Wayne Eaton until 2020, was passed to Troy Eaton who carried on the tradition of hosting weekly fishing competitions.
Troy’s grandson, Ethan Sanders, voiced his thoughts to reporters, highlighting the widespread impact of the incident. “This has affected more than just us. This has affected everyone around here. Everyone knows him for who he is. He’s an exceptional and wonderful person, and he certainly did not deserve this.”
As of now, the Covington Police Department has not confirmed a definitive motive behind the shooting. They are presently analyzing surveillance footage that captured the incident and reviewing testimonies from multiple eyewitnesses. “There’s a lot of confusion right now. Nobody knows what is going to happen,” Ethan Sanders added.
Police reiterated over the weekend that they have surveillance footage of the incident and that a significant number of witnesses were present at the time of the shooting. The Covington Police Department is urging anyone with further information to come forward to assist in their ongoing investigation.
After the incident, Wayne Eaton was promptly incarcerated, but the police department has kept specific details under wraps, citing that the investigation is still underway and no specifics can be released at this time.
