A beloved member of the Covington, Georgia community, Troy Eaton, was allegedly shot and killed by his 85-year-old father, Wayne Eaton, during a fishing tournament on their family property. The incident happened during the evening of July 12, 2024, at the Lakeview Drive Tournament Lakes, a popular local spot for fishing enthusiasts.
Covington Police were dispatched to the scene just before 7 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Troy Eaton, 60, dead inside a bait shop on the property. Wayne Eaton was still on the scene and was taken into custody without incident. He has since been charged with malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and is currently being held at Newton County Jail.
Tiffany Eaton Cartledge, Troy’s daughter, expressed her sadness on social media, describing her father as an integral part of the community and a loving grandfather. “He was very fair and loved with all his heart,” she wrote on Facebook. “He was constantly active, yet he always made time for his grandchildren. He cherished his family, his lakes, and his community.”
Troy managed the Lakeview Drive Tournament Lakes in honor of his mother. It has been a cherished gathering place for local fishermen. The property on Lakeview Drive has a history deeply rooted in the Eaton family. Previously owned by Wayne Eaton until 2020, it was transferred to Troy Eaton, who continued to maintain and operate the weekly fishing tournaments.
His grandson, Ethan Sanders, spoke to the media, saying, “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 has yet to determine a clear motive for the shooting. Surveillance footage that captured the incident and numerous eyewitnesses are being reviewed in the ongoing investigation. “There’s a lot of confusion right now. Nobody knows what is going to happen,” Ethan Sanders added.
Over the weekend, the police confirmed the presence of surveillance footage capturing the incident and reiterated that many witnesses were present during the shooting. The Covington Police Department has urged anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the investigation.
Wayne Eaton was booked into jail shortly after the incident. The police department has been tight-lipped about the details, stating that the investigation is ongoing and they are not ready to disclose any specifics.
