It was barely past 11:00 a.m. on a Thursday when the quiet of a Rockdale County neighborhood was shattered by gunfire. Most people were just getting through their morning coffee or mid-morning meetings, but for the residents on Setters Trail, the day took a dark turn. When deputies arrived, they found a scene that’s honestly hard to even process: a two-year-old child fighting for their life and a man dead in the backyard. This recent shooting in rockdale county isn't just another headline; it’s a deeply local tragedy that has left the community looking for answers about how a domestic dispute could escalate so violently.
The Details of the Setters Trail Incident
On January 8, 2026, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a person shot at a home in the 3000 block of Setters Trail. Speed matters in these situations. A deputy arrived within minutes and immediately started rendering aid to a toddler who had been struck by gunfire.
The logistics were intense. A medical helicopter had to be called in to airlift the child to a local hospital. While the toddler was being flown out, other deputies began a sweep of the property. In the backyard, they found the body of 29-year-old Hasan Boddie. He died from what investigators are calling a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with the weapon found right next to him.
Property records show Boddie had owned the home since early 2023. It seemed like a normal suburban setup, which makes the violence even more jarring for neighbors. The Sheriff’s Office is still interviewing witnesses and "other involved parties" to figure out what the motive actually was. We don't know the exact relationship between Boddie and the child yet, as officials have been careful about releasing those details to protect the family’s privacy.
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Violence at the Forest Villa Apartments
Just as the community was reeling from the Setters Trail event, another shooting in rockdale county occurred just days later. On the night of Tuesday, January 13, Conyers police were called to the Forest Villa Apartments on Forest Villa Drive.
A 21-year-old man was found at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds. He didn't make it. Unlike the domestic tragedy on Setters Trail, this incident appears to involve a suspect who fled the scene.
Police have identified 21-year-old Amir Johnson as the suspect in this case. Investigators say witnesses inside the home were cooperative and pointed to Johnson as the shooter. As of mid-January, he is still on the run. While police believe this was an isolated incident—meaning they don't think a random gunman is roaming the streets—they’ve still ramped up patrols in the area.
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The Broader Context of Safety in Conyers
Rockdale County has seen a string of high-profile incidents over the last few months that have put law enforcement on high alert. Honestly, it feels like a lot for a county of this size.
If you look at the recent timeline:
- August 2025: A victim was shot near the QuikTrip on Highway 138 during the afternoon.
- October 2025: An arrest was finally made in a homicide on Salem Road.
- January 2025: A man named Lorenzo Banks was arrested after allegedly firing at a deputy on Locomotive Road.
It’s easy to look at these and think the area is becoming unsafe, but the Sheriff's Office often points out that many of these are "domestic-related" or "isolated" between people who know each other. That doesn't make it less scary, but it changes how police approach prevention.
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What Most People Get Wrong About These Reports
When news of a shooting in rockdale county breaks, social media usually explodes with speculation. You've probably seen the "stay inside" posts or the rumors about active shooters.
The reality is usually much more focused. In the Setters Trail case, the threat ended the moment Hasan Boddie took his own life. In the Forest Villa case, the police are dealing with a specific suspect they’ve already identified. Law enforcement distinguishes between a "threat to the public" and an "isolated criminal act." Most of what we've seen lately falls into the latter category, though the psychological toll on the neighborhood is the same regardless.
Actionable Steps for Rockdale Residents
Staying safe isn't just about locking doors; it's about knowing how the local system works. If you live in Conyers or the surrounding Rockdale area, there are specific things you can do to stay informed.
- Monitor the RCSO Blog: The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is surprisingly transparent on their "Latest News" blog. They post updates on active investigations, including suspect descriptions and arrest records.
- Submit Tips Anonymously: If you have info on Amir Johnson's whereabouts, don't just post it on Facebook. Use the Crime Stoppers line (404-577-TIPS). You can stay anonymous and sometimes get a reward if the tip leads to an arrest.
- Domestic Violence Resources: Given that the Setters Trail shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute, it's worth knowing that Rockdale has local advocacy groups like Project Renewal that provide safe housing and legal help for people in volatile situations.
- Sign up for Alert Rockdale: This is the county's emergency notification system. It sends pings directly to your phone for things like police activity or severe weather.
The investigation into the January 2026 incidents is still very much active. Forensic teams are likely still processing the ballistics from the Forest Villa scene, and the Sheriff's Office is waiting for medical updates on the two-year-old from Setters Trail. For now, the focus remains on finding Amir Johnson and supporting the families affected by these back-to-back tragedies.
Check your local news apps for updates on the search for Amir Johnson, as police have indicated they will release more photos if he isn't caught soon. Keep an eye on the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office social media pages for the most direct information regarding community safety meetings in the coming weeks.