Dashonn Hayes, an 18-year-old accused of killing his younger brother with a shotgun blast to the neck, has been indicted in DeKalb County on a single count of involuntary manslaughter.

Police had initially charged him with murder in the death of 17-year-old Corinthian Hayes, though the suspect’s attorney maintained it was an accident. The indictment, filed last week, says the older brother shot Corinthian while “passing” him the gun.

Defense attorney Steve Cowan has said the brothers were both shooting guns at a home near I-285 and Avondale Estates on Dec. 20 before Dashonn’s went off. There were no other adults at the home when the shooting occurred.

READ: DeKalb relative: 11 kids found in New Mexico desert raid need help

READ: Man wants bond after allegedly killing woman over a watch in DeKalb

READ: Kroger customer dares man to shoot him. Now he's dead, DeKalb cops say

“It’s my position, the client’s position and the family’s position that this was a horrible, tragic accident,” Cowan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in the days after the shooting. “I don’t think the court would’ve granted a bond if the court thought it was anything more than an accident.”

Judge Clarence Seeliger granted Dashonn Hayes a bond of $50,000 in January, and he’s been out of jail since.

He has an arrangement scheduled for Oct. 2.

On the single charge, he faces between one and 10 years.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter

In other news: 

Which metro Atlanta counties had the highest growth from 2017-18?

About the Author

Keep Reading

The triple shooting happened in the 1100 block of South Hairston Road. (Caroline Silva/AJC)

Credit: Caroline Silva/AJC

Featured

Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com