In the summer of 2020, a young woman's life was tragically cut short in LaGrange, Georgia. On the evening of July 19th, 22-year-old Haley Brook Newsom, a white female, was at a home on Meadowland Trail when a 17-year-old male began carelessly waving a handgun in the living room. The firearm discharged, striking Newsom in the head. She was a 2018 honor graduate of Troup High School and was known for her vibrant personality and love for her family and friends.
Emergency services were
called to the residence around 8:35 p.m. and found Newsom unresponsive. The 17-year-old, identified as Cameryn Phillips, had carried her outside with the intention of taking her to the hospital. Life-saving efforts were administered at the scene by deputies before she was transported to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center. From there, she was airlifted to an Atlanta hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and passed away on July 20, 2020.
The initial investigation suggested the shooting was accidental, and no immediate charges were filed. However, as the Troup County Sheriff's Office continued to gather evidence and witness statements, the situation evolved. A few days later, on July 23, 2020, Cameryn Phillips was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, four counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The investigation also led to a second arrest. An 18-year-old named Joshua K. Baker of Newnan was charged with furnishing a pistol to a minor in connection with the handgun that killed Newsom. Phillips was held at the Troup County Jail without bond. The tragic event served as a stark reminder within the community about the critical importance of responsible firearm handling and the devastating consequences of negligence.
