In the early morning hours of January 25, 2026, the life of 22-year-old Teonia Stokes, an African American woman, was tragically cut short in Monroe, Georgia. Seven months pregnant with a baby boy, Stokes was fatally shot inside a residence on GW Carver Drive at approximately 2:30 a.m. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Stokes and another individual, 25-year-old Curdarious Williams, had been shot. Stokes was pronounced dead at the scene, and tragically, her unborn son did not survive. Williams sustained injuries but survived the shooting.
Teonia Stokes was a senior at Kennesaw State University, just months away from realizing her dream of graduating with a degree in education. A dedicated mother to her two-year-old daughter, she was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her son. Her family described her as a loving and dependable person who was committed to her family and her future as a teacher. The shooting occurred just two days before what would have been her 23rd birthday; instead of celebrating, her family found themselves making funeral arrangements.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led authorities to identify 36-year-old Dorreous Brooks of Monroe as a suspect. A multi-agency manhunt was launched, and Brooks was considered armed and dangerous. He was taken into custody on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies, including the Newton County Sheriff's Office, Covington Police Department, and the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office. Brooks has been charged with felony murder and feticide in connection with the deaths of Teonia Stokes and her unborn child. Following his arrest, he was denied bond. According to Stokes' family, she was an innocent bystander caught in the midst of a violent dispute that did not involve her.
