- Sixteen-year-old Lequan Stephens was taken into custody after his father turned him in following a multi-agency search in Clayton County.
- He faces aggravated assault charges in connection with a January 17 Lovejoy shooting that left a juvenile with gunshot wounds to the face and neck.
- Investigators allege Stephens fired into the vehicle and fled, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation obtained warrants in a separate shooting case.
- Authorities conducted coordinated searches at several residences tied to his relatives and acquaintances while warning they would not shelter him during active warrants.
LOVEJOY, GEORGIA — A 16-year-old boy accused in two separate shootings was taken into custody after his father turned him in following a multi-agency search effort, according to law enforcement officials in Clayton County.
Shooting Reported in Lovejoy on January 17
The case began on January 17, when officers responded to a shooting in the 2500 block of Lovejoy Crossing Lane. A juvenile was found seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with gunshot wounds to the face and neck. Investigators allege the shooter fired into the vehicle and fled.
Warrants Issued in Second Case
Detectives later identified Lequan Stephens, 16, as the suspect in the Lovejoy shooting and obtained aggravated assault warrants. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also obtained warrants tied to a separate shooting case, officials said.
Search Operation Launched Across Multiple Locations
A coordinated operation involving multiple agencies was carried out at several residences linked to Stephens’ relatives and acquaintances as investigators worked to locate him. Officials said the message to those connected to the teen was that he would not be sheltered while warrants were active.
Father Turned Him In After More Than 48 Hours
After more than 48 hours on the run, Stephens was turned over to authorities by his father on Tuesday, officials said. He faces aggravated assault charges in Clayton County, and the second investigation remains active.
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