Covington, Georgia – In a tragic turn of events, a fishing tournament took a devastating and deadly turn on Friday evening. Troy Eaton, the organizer of the tournament, was allegedly shot and killed by his own father, Wayne Eaton, on the family property. Dozens of attendees were reported to have witnessed the shocking incident.
According to the Covington police, they were called to the scene just before 7 p.m. on July 12. Upon arrival, they found Troy Eaton deceased inside a building on the property. Wayne Eaton, the alleged shooter, was still present and was subsequently taken into custody, charged with murder. The police have not released any additional details about the ongoing investigation.
Tiffany Eaton Cartledge, Troy’s daughter, shared her grief in a heartfelt Facebook post. She described her father as a loving presence in his grandchildren’s lives and a dedicated member of the close-knit Covington community. She described him as “This man was the kindest, most genuinely decent man I’ve ever known. He would give until he had nothing left to give.” Troy Eaton’s commitment to running the Lakeview Drive Tournament Lakes, which ultimately became the scene of his tragic death, was described by Cartledge as a tribute to his late mother.
The Covington Police Department has not provided further information regarding the incident, citing an ongoing investigation. However, they acknowledged the existence of surveillance footage and numerous witnesses to the shooting. Ethan Sanders, Troy’s grandson, expressed confusion and uncertainty about what will happen next as the community grapples with this shocking loss.
As of Monday, online booking records of the elder Eaton were not accessible. While it remains unknown if he has obtained legal representation or entered a plea, his granddaughter made no mention of him in her Facebook post about her father. Cartledge expressed her profound grief and disbelief, describing the current situation as an unimaginable nightmare.
This devastating incident has left the community in shock and mourning. Authorities are working diligently to unravel the events leading up to the shooting. As details continue to emerge, the residents of Covington, Georgia, are left grappling with the tragic loss of Troy Eaton, a beloved member of their community.