A Georgia father’s decision to turn in his own 16-year-old son to police after the teen allegedly shot a juvenile in the face underscores the devastating consequences of youth violence.
Story Snapshot
- Lequan Stephens, 16, arrested after father voluntarily surrendered him to Clayton County police following manhunt for two separate shootings
- Juvenile victim suffered gunshot wounds to face and neck on January 17, remains hospitalized in critical condition
- Law enforcement pressure on family and associates left suspect “no place to hide,” leading to father’s difficult decision
- Teen faces aggravated assault and criminal damage charges, raising questions about juvenile justice and accountability
Father Surrenders Son After Intensive Manhunt
Lequan Stephens, a 16-year-old Clayton County resident, was taken into custody on January 21, 2026, when his father brought him to the Clayton County Police Department. The arrest ended a multi-day manhunt involving the Lovejoy Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Clayton County Sheriff’s Fugitive Squad. Law enforcement had been searching for Stephens since January 17 following a shooting that left another juvenile critically wounded with gunshot injuries to the face and neck. The coordinated law enforcement response demonstrated the seriousness with which authorities pursued the case.
A teen suspect wanted in connection to two shootings was turned in by his father Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the Clayton County Police Department. https://t.co/eT9IarDyA7 Learn more at https://t.co/ijLzXlG9Ii linked in our bio. pic.twitter.com/yKOO3oaMou
— The Clayton News (@TheClaytonNews) January 21, 2026
Two Shooting Incidents Draw Multiple Charges
Stephens faces charges of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property connected to two separate shooting incidents. The first occurred on January 17 in the 2500 block of Lovejoy Crossing Lane, where officers discovered the juvenile victim suffering from severe gunshot wounds while seated in a vehicle. Investigators later linked Stephens to a second shooting at a residence in the 1300 block of Misty Ridge Court. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation obtained additional warrants for this separate incident, though specific details about circumstances and timing remain undisclosed by authorities.
Law Enforcement Strategy Pressures Family Into Action
Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen activated the Fugitive Squad to locate Stephens after warrants were issued. Law enforcement conducted coordinated operations at residences linked to Stephens’ relatives and acquaintances, sending a clear message that the teen would find no sanctuary. The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office stated publicly that authorities made clear “Stephens had no place to hide and would receive no assistance.” This strategic pressure campaign appears to have influenced the father’s decision to prioritize civic duty over familial protection, bringing his son to face justice after more than 48 hours on the run.
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Parental Accountability Contrasts With Youth Violence Crisis
The father’s voluntary surrender of his son stands in stark contrast to the broader pattern of parental negligence that often enables juvenile crime. This case highlights the difficult choices facing families when confronting criminal behavior by their children. While the circumstances leading to both shootings remain unclear, the father’s actions demonstrate recognition that accountability matters more than misplaced loyalty. The juvenile victim’s family now faces an uncertain recovery process, with the young person suffering life-altering injuries. This tragedy underscores the need for stronger family values and parental oversight to prevent youth violence before it destroys lives on both sides.
Stephens remains in custody as the investigation continues. The case will proceed through Georgia’s juvenile justice system, where authorities will determine appropriate charges and consequences for the alleged crimes. The community in Lovejoy and Clayton County experienced heightened concern during the manhunt, relieved only when the father made the courageous decision to end his son’s flight from justice. Whether this case influences broader discussions about juvenile accountability, family responsibility, and crime prevention in Georgia remains to be seen, but it serves as a sobering reminder that actions have consequences regardless of age.
Sources:
Georgia teen arrested after father turns him in following pair of shootings, police say
Father turns teen son wanted in Clayton County shootings in to police
Georgia teen arrested after father turns him in following pair of shootings
