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On June 26, 2024 at 5:01 p.m., deputies and investigators with the Troup County Sheriff’s
Office was dispatched to 3891 Hogansville Road in regards to a person shot. Once they arrived
on scene, they located an adult male who appeared to have been shot and was showing no signs
of life. They also made contact with an adult female who was rendering aid to the victim.

While speaking with the female on the scene, it was determined that the shooter, who is an adult male, had left the scene with another adult female in a truck. A few minutes later, the truck in question was seen being driven back to the scene of the crime. The two subjects in the truck were met by sheriff’s investigators and were placed into custody without incident.

At this time, it has been determined by TCSO Criminal Investigations Division that the suspect Timothy Dewayne Burns, 53, and the victim, Clayton Bartlett, 51, were in a verbal argument in the carport area of the residence and Burns approached Bartlett and allegedly shot him in the torso with a shotgun. Burns and the female, Cynthia Vayda, 56, then reportedly left the location before returning.

Burns has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Vayda was charged with false statements and writings and tampering with evidence.

As of press time, Burns nor Vayda are both awaiting booking into the Troup County Jail.

No further information is available at this time.