Stockbridge teen dies after officer fires

A 16-year-old Stockbridge resident is dead after a police shooting in Henry County.

Tyrie Howse was shot and killed by an officer following an encounter with two teenagers. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation released the sequence of events on November 8. Investigators stated that an officer approached Howse and a 17-year-old friend. The officer instructed the older teen to remove his hands from his pockets. The 17-year-old pulled out a handgun and placed it in Howse’s hands.

Howse began to run. The officer ordered him to drop the weapon. Howse did not comply. The officer fired once. Howse died from his injuries.

Quinn Barnes, a close friend of Howse’s mother, spoke at a community vigil. She said she was shocked by the outcome. “When I heard what happened I instantly started crying because I know that kid. He’s a great kid. He’s a great kid,” Barnes said. She questioned the necessity of the officer’s approach. Barnes said the family wants to know why the officer targeted the teens and why he fired. “You’re supposed to protect us but instead it’s like our boys are scared of you guys. He probably ran because he was scared. They’re scared of you all and you’re supposed to protect us,” she said.

Dozens of classmates attended the vigil. Jaden Swain, a friend of Howse, said the teen regularly checked on him. “He always made sure I was good. Like anytime he came up to me. He would say what’s up. He always asked me if I was OK. Not many do that so that meant something to me. It showed that he really cared about me,” Swain said.

Friends described Howse as a dedicated student. Elaun Clark, a friend, said Howse loved football and planned to work in medicine. “I don’t want people to remember my friend as a kid who was killed by a cop,” Clark said. The family is seeking accountability as the investigation proceeds.

The vigil took place in Henry County. The GBI investigation is ongoing.