A Georgia teen didn’t should have her pleasure of going to senior promenade dirty by the mindless killing of her promenade date. Nonetheless, she nonetheless decided to verify he was honored in his absence. The tribute will convey you to tears.
Justin Etienne and his date, Reyaa, had been set to attend their senior promenade hosted by Salem Highschool. Nonetheless, on March 19, the varsity’s “Senior Skip Day,” tragedy struck: The Newton County Sheriff’s Workplace stated 18-year-old Etienne was gunned down in Denny Dobbs Park in Conyers, Ga. the place a bunch of different college students met.
His household asserted that he didn’t stay a tough life however was a devoted soccer participant who saved up together with his research and appeared ahead to going to varsity, per Atlanta Information First. The household stated he was simply accepted into Georgia State College.
“He had such a brilliant future. He had so many plans. I already know he was going to be good. His perspective stated all of it,” stated Hugh Neil, the teenager’s father, per the report.
His dad and mom weren’t the one ones left grieving the teenager. Reyaa was left with out her companion and promenade date. Nonetheless, she refused to permit the incident flip her greatest highschool second bitter. She determined to have fun the lifetime of Etienne with probably the most dazzling a part of the event: her gown.
Images from the teenager’s social media present her donning a bedazzled slick again ponytail accompanied by a shocking customized rose gold robe designed by her uncle. Printed onto the entrance of the gown is a category picture of Etienne.
On the shoulder straps accenting the robe was a message: “So, in case that is the final letter I write to you, Will you make Heaven a spot on Earth?” The designer stated the theme of the robe was impressed by Etienne’s promposal to Reyaa, by way of social media.
A number of social media movies displayed Reyaa being offered together with her robe in addition to the tear-jerking second when Etienne’s mom offered her with the corsage in her son’s honor.
“A Evening I’ll By no means Neglect With a Particular person I’ll All the time Keep in mind💔🕊️#LLJUSTIN #Prom2025 Thanks to everybody who was part of making the second so memorable!” Reyaa wrote on Instagram. “The world is aware of his identify and that warms my coronary heart!! And Justin, mann we DEFINITELY confirmed out in our rose gold! I miss you a lot man a lot, however I do know you had been with me🥹!!”
The teenager’s publish was flooded with feedback of help – even one by music artist Mariah the Scientist who wrote “Reya & Justin 4ever.” Whereas Reyaa did her late buddy justice by bringing him to promenade, the sheriff’s workplace is working to convey justice to his household.
Police introduced the arrest of Jarvis Hinton Jr., a 16-year-old suspect in Etienne’s capturing. He’s been charged with homicide, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm in the course of the fee of a felony, possession of a firearm by an individual beneath the age of 18 and reckless conduct. Hinton is being held within the Newton County Detention Heart.