Owen James Hicks was 20 when he was gravely wounded in Rome, Georgia, on June 2, 2016, during a reckless episode involving a 9 mm pistol inside a bedroom on Bell’s Ferry Road. Reports say the gun discharged while Hicks was with his friend Cody Throneberry and struck Hicks in the face. He was rushed to a local hospital, lingered for several days, and died from his injuries on June 5, 2016.

Hicks was a 2014 Model High School graduate who had attended Georgia Highlands College and worked at Profile Industries; he enjoyed hunting, gaming with friends, and working out. Investigators identified Throneberry as the other central figure, and on June 22, 2016, he was taken into custody and charged with involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor pointing a gun at another, and reckless conduct. In early February 2017 Throneberry pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and pointing a gun at another and received a five-year prison term followed by five years probation.

If anyone knew Owen, where he spent his time, or has information about the night on Bell’s Ferry Road, please share what is known.