Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole Plus 25 Years in Tifton Car Wash Murder
TIFT COUNTY, Georgia – A Tift County judge has sentenced Sean Xavier Ross, 37, to life without the possibility of parole plus 25 years after a jury convicted him of malice murder and related charges in the 2024 shooting death of Brendan Burns.
On November 20, 2025, a Tift County jury found Ross guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, five counts of Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. Chief Superior Court Judge Bill Reinhardt imposed the sentence during a February 13, 2026 hearing.
According to evidence presented at trial, Burns was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of a car wash at 17th Street and South Central Avenue on January 29, 2024, when Ross approached from behind and opened fire in broad daylight. Prosecutors said Burns had no opportunity to defend himself.
The shooting occurred on a busy Monday afternoon corner in Tifton. Investigators testified that several people were standing nearby and could have been struck. Bullets fired by Ross also hit passing vehicles, including one that was struck in the door inches from where a 2-year-old child was seated in a car seat.
Authorities said the killing stemmed from ongoing tensions between Ross and Burns’ family. Months before the murder, Burns’ mother’s home was targeted in a drive-by shooting during the night. Burns, who had been living near Hinesville at the time, returned to Tifton after the shooting to ensure his family’s safety.
Ross has also been charged in connection with that earlier drive-by shooting based on evidence recovered at the murder scene and information obtained from Ross’ cell phone.
District Attorney Patrick Warren and Chief DA Investigator Melissa Luke prosecuted the case. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Marko Jones of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and detectives with the Tifton Police Department led the investigation.
Ross’ sentence includes life without parole for malice murder and an additional 25 years to be served consecutively.
“This case is another example of multiple participants in the criminal justice system coming together to protect the community from a dangerous and cowardly criminal. The District Attorney’s Office appreciates the work of Agent Jones, Tifton PD detectives, and everyone who participated in the jury trial that resulted in this Defendant’s conviction and Life without parole sentence. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to seeking substantial prison sentences for violent offenders who victimize those in our community,” said District Attorney Patrick Warren.
