Teen Arrested in DeKalb County for May Murder of Stepfather in Covington

COVINGTON, GA – A 16-year-old wanted for the fatal shooting of his stepfather in Newton County has been arrested.

Jayden Daniel was taken into custody on the morning of July 17 in DeKalb County by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. He was wanted in connection with the May 13 murder of 41-year-old David Gay.

Deputies had responded at approximately 6:15 p.m. on May 13 to a report of a shooting at a residence on Avery Drive in Covington. Gay was found dead inside the home with apparent gunshot wounds. The investigation identified Daniel, his stepson, as the suspect.

Daniel now faces multiple charges including murder, aggravated assault, theft by taking, possession of a handgun by a person under 18, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime. He has been booked into the Newton County Detention Center.

Sheriff Ezell Brown thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, the Criminal Investigations Division, and other divisions within the Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in apprehending Daniel.