In a tragic incident, Troy Eaton, a respected figure in the Covington, Georgia community, was reportedly shot dead by his 85-year-old father, Wayne Eaton. The shooting occurred on their family-owned land during a fishing tournament on the evening of July 12, 2024, at Lakeview Drive Tournament Lakes, a favored location amongst local fishing aficionados.
Just prior to 7 p.m., Covington Police were alerted to the shooting and promptly responded to the scene. They discovered 60-year-old Troy Eaton fatally shot inside a bait shop on the premises. Wayne Eaton was present at the scene and was taken into custody peacefully. He is now facing charges of malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and is being held at Newton County Jail.
Tiffany Eaton Cartledge, Troy’s daughter, expressed her grief on social media, painting a picture of her father as a pillar of the community and a doting grandfather. “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 had been managing the Lakeview Drive Tournament Lakes to honor his mother. The property, which held a deep connection to the Eaton family history, was a beloved spot for local fishing enthusiasts. Wayne Eaton owned the property until 2020, after which it was transferred to Troy, who continued to organize and host weekly fishing tournaments.
Speaking to the press, Troy’s grandson, Ethan Sanders, said, “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.”
The Covington Police Department is yet to establish a solid motive for the tragic shooting. As part of the ongoing investigation, they are examining surveillance footage from the incident and are interviewing multiple eyewitnesses. “There’s a lot of confusion right now. Nobody knows what is going to happen,” Ethan Sanders added.
Over the weekend, the police confirmed that they had surveillance footage of the incident. They reminded the public that there were numerous witnesses present during the shooting and encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward to assist the investigation.
Shortly after the shooting, Wayne Eaton was detained and taken to jail. The police department has remained reserved regarding the specifics, stating only that the investigation is in progress and they are not yet prepared to release further details.
