TOCCOA, Ga. — A 19-year-old Toccoa man has been arrested following a shooting at a local youth home that left a teenager seriously injured, according to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and investigators responded around 1:13 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, to a report of a gunshot wound at The Village, a youth home on Gulley Trail.
When first responders arrived, they found a 16-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. The teen was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with severe injuries. Authorities said he has since been discharged and is expected to make a full recovery.
Investigators determined the shooting stemmed from an earlier verbal altercation on Monday, March 23, followed by a second confrontation outside the youth home early Tuesday. During that incident, at least one weapon was produced and shots were fired, striking the juvenile. Multiple shell casings were recovered at the scene.
Following interviews with witnesses, investigators identified Jonah Swinton, 19, of Toccoa, as the primary suspect. Authorities obtained a warrant charging him with aggravated assault.
Swinton was interviewed by investigators around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, and was taken into custody without incident. He remains in the Stephens County Jail awaiting a bond hearing before a magistrate judge.
The investigation remains active, and additional arrests or charges may be forthcoming, officials said.
