16-Year-Old Arrested in Connection with Homicide at Denny Dobbs Park

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 16-year-old Jarvis Hinton Jr. of Covington in connection with the March 19, 2025, homicide at Denny Dobbs Park. Hinton, a student at Newton High School, is facing multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under 18, and reckless conduct. He is currently being held at the Newton County Detention Center.

The investigation into the homicide began after conflicting witness statements were provided by students involved in Senior Skip Day at the park. Over the course of the investigation, NCSO investigators executed search warrants, gathered evidence, and worked through misleading statements to identify Hinton as the primary suspect.

Sheriff Ezell Brown praised the efforts of the NCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division, Special Investigations Division, and Crime Analyst Unit for their dedication to solving the case. “The successful arrest of this individual shows the continued dedication and commitment of our investigators,” said Sheriff Brown. He also emphasized the consequences of providing false information during investigations.

While Hinton has been arrested, additional suspects may be implicated as the investigation continues. The victim, Justin Etienne, remains in the thoughts of the community as the investigation unfolds. The NCSO encourages the public to refrain from spreading false or misleading information on social media.