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18-year-old shot, killed his best friend by accident, woman says

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — An 18-year-old man is dead and another is facing a murder charge after a shooting Friday in a Newton County neighborhood.

Jalyn Colbert, 18, turned himself in at the Newton County Sheriff's Office after deputies said he shot and killed Avantia Henry.

Channel 2's Lori Wilson spoke with a woman whose grandson knew Colbert and Henry. She said the shooting was an accident and the two teens were best friends.

"It was a mistake. They were playing with a gun," Brenda Felts told Wilson.

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Felts said after the shooting Friday night, the boys came to her family's house for help. Her daughter put Henry in her SUV and tried to get him to the hospital. She pulled off Highway 68 and called 911.

Henry died at the hospital. Felts said her grandson is upset by what happened.

"He's devastated because it was his best friend, that got shot by another best friend," Felts said.

Colbert is being held in the Newton County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and theft by taking.

The Newton County Sheriff's Office told Wilson the investigation is still ongoing.