Troup County Man Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting

On June 26, 2024, at 5:01 p.m., deputies and investigators from the Troup County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 3891 Hogansville Road in response to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they found an adult male with no signs of life who appeared to have been shot. An adult female was present, providing aid to the victim.

During the investigation, it was determined that the shooter, an adult male, had fled the scene with another adult female in a truck. Shortly after, the truck returned to the crime scene. The two occupants were apprehended without incident.

Investigators identified the suspect as Timothy Dewayne Burns, 53, and the victim as Clayton Bartlett, 51. The investigation revealed that Burns and Bartlett had a verbal altercation in the carport area of the residence, during which Burns shot Bartlett in the torso with a shotgun. Burns and the female, Cynthia Vayda, 56, then left the scene before returning.

Timothy Burns has been charged with Murder and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime. Cynthia Vayda has been charged with False Statements and Writings and Tampering with Evidence.