One in Custody After Shooting at Toccoa Youth Home

STEPHENS COUNTY, Ga.— One person is in custody following a shooting at a youth home in Toccoa that left a 16-year-old 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 located on Gulley Trail. Upon arrival, authorities and Stephens County EMS personnel found a 16-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound.

The juvenile, whose identity has not been released, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with severe injuries. Officials say he has since been discharged and is expected to make a full recovery.

Investigators determined the shooting followed an earlier verbal altercation on March 23, which escalated into a second confrontation outside the facility early the next morning. During that incident, at least one weapon was produced and multiple shots were fired, striking the victim. Authorities recovered several shell casings at the scene.

Following interviews with witnesses, investigators identified Jonah Swinton, 19, of Toccoa, as a primary suspect. An arrest warrant was obtained charging him with aggravated assault.

Swinton was interviewed by investigators on March 25 and subsequently taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Stephens County Jail, where he remains pending a bond hearing before a magistrate judge.

Authorities say the investigation remains active, and additional arrests or charges may be forthcoming.