Man Accused Of Shooting Brother, Killing Woman

Newton County Sheriff’s Office officials arrested and charged the brother of a shooting victim Monday after a man was found shot and a woman was found dead.

Police said when they arrived at the home on Bell Street in Covington Sunday evening they found a woman, Tajuana Lashawn Stroud, 36, of Covington, fatally wounded in the front yard.

“One is deceased. A female from an apparent gunshot wound. And another male suffered a gunshot also,” said Lt. Mark Mitchell of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said the man, Steven Cadet Smith, 42, was suffering serious injury from gunfire.

Family members told Channel 2 Action News reporter Darryn Moore that Steven Smith was shot in the shoulder after an argument broke out between the victims and the alleged shooter.

Monday afternoon, police announced they arrested and charged Steven Smith’s brother, Ricky Lewis Smith Sr., 44, with murder and aggravated assault.

Police have not released a motive.

“It’s too premature to say right now. Somewhere down the road, we can get some idea of exactly what occurred,” said Mitchell.