LOVEJOY, GA – A 16-year-old who allegedly shot another juvenile in the face and neck evaded capture for more than 48 hours before his own father walked him into a police station and handed him over.
Lequan Stephens now faces aggravated assault charges in Clayton County. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also has warrants out for him in connection with a separate shooting incident.
The first shooting happened January 17 on Lovejoy Crossing Lane. Officers responding to the call found a juvenile sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with gunshot wounds to the face and neck. The victim survived.
Witnesses told police the shooter fired into the vehicle and then took off running. Investigators quickly identified Stephens as their suspect and obtained arrest warrants.
What followed was an intense manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Deputies executed coordinated operations at homes belonging to Stephens’ relatives and anyone else who might be sheltering him.
“Law enforcement made it clear that Stephens had no place to hide and would receive no assistance,” the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office said.
The message apparently got through. After more than two days on the run, Stephens’ father brought him in and surrendered him to authorities.
It’s unclear what conversations took place between father and son before that decision was made. Police haven’t said whether the father will face any charges for potentially harboring the teen during those initial 48 hours.
The GBI’s involvement suggests the second shooting case may be even more serious. Details about that incident haven’t been released.
Stephens is being held at a juvenile detention facility pending further court proceedings.
