Robbery attempt turns deadly at Lithonia-area gas station; 1 on the run, police say

The Brief

  • Police say an attempted robbery led to a shootout that killed 19-year-old Tristyn Mays at a Covington Highway gas station.
  • Investigators ruled the surviving victim acted in self-defense and is expected to recover from non-life-threatening injuries.
  • Police are searching for a second suspect who they say fired shots and fled; surveillance images have been released.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. DeKalb County police are asking for the public’s help identifying a second suspect connected to a deadly shooting that unfolded during an attempted robbery at a gas station along Covington Highway.

What we know:

Police said officers were called around 7:33 p.m. on November 17, 2025, to a Circle K in the 6400 block of Covington Highway after reports of two people shot. When officers arrived, they found 19-year-old Tristyn Mays dead from a gunshot wound.

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