Man Sentenced to Life in Car-Wash Murder

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Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Tifton, Georgia

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MAN GETS LIFE PLUS 25 YEARS IN TIFTON CAR WASH MURDER, ASSAULT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton man has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 25 years for the murder two years ago of a Tifton man at a car wash on the corner of 17th Street and Central Avenue.

Sean Xavier Ross, 37, was sentenced Friday in Tift County Superior Court for malice murder, felony murder, five counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during a crime in the shooting death of Brendan Rashad "Big Baby" Burns, 33.

On Jan. 29, 2024, Burns was sitting in the parking lot of "At the Car Wash" (formerly the Clean Spot) at 101 W. 17th St. in Tifton, "when he was brutally gunned down by Ross, who snuck up behind him and began shooting – a cowardly act in which Mr. Burns did not even have a chance to defend himself," said District Attorney Patrick Warren of the Tifton Judicial Circuit.

"The shooting occurred in broad daylight on a Monday afternoon on a busy corner here in Tifton. Several people standing near the victim could easily have been shot. Bullets fired by Ross also hit passing cars, striking the door of one vehicle mere inches from where a 2-year-old child was in her car seat," Warren said.

Burns was pronounced dead at the scene. Ross was later found at Tift Regional Medical Center with a gunshot wound related to the incident and was arrested.

District Attorney Warren said Burns' murder is believed to be the result of ongoing tensions between Ross and Burns’ family, which boiled over after Burns’ mother’s home was shot up in the middle of the night during a drive-by shooting several months before the murder.

"Mr. Burns, who at the time of the shooting of his mother’s house was living near Hinesville, came back to Tifton to make sure his family was safe," Warren said. "Ross is now also charged in that drive-by shooting based on evidence located at the murder scene and from Ross’ own cell phone."

The district attorney said the case is an example of 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 (Special Agent Marko Jones of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation), Tifton Police Department detectives, and everyone who participated in the jury trial that resulted in this defendant’s conviction and life-without-parole sentence, said Warren, who prosecuted the case with Chief DA Investigator Melissa Luke.

WORTH COUNTY CHASE INVOLVES REPEAT OFFENDER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A man who has faced past charges involving high-speed chases in Georgia and Alabama, was arrested Saturday night in Worth County following a high-speed chase with Warwick Police, authorities said.

At approximately 8:50 p.m. Saturday, Warwick Police attempted to stop a Dodge Challenger traveling without headlights on State Road 300. Police said the vehicle then led them on a high-speed chase with speeds exceeding 100 mph.

The vehicle's driver ultimately lost control, hitting a fence, and then fleeing the car on foot. The suspect was apprehended about two hours later, authorities said.

Cavasia Rashaude Adams is charged with fleeing and attempting to elude police, with obstruction, speeding, reckless driving, hit and run, striking a fixed object, driving with a suspended license, driving without headlights, failure to maintain lane, improper lane change, having an open container, and with marijuana possession, authorities said.

Adams had several outstanding warrants, including ones for fleeing police and reckless driving, authorities said.

JUST ONE SMALL MOMENT

IN AMERICA'S HISTORY

When I heard the news Tuesday that the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson had died at age 84, I thought about the day I had spent with him early in the summer of 1984 when he was first running for the Democratic nomination for president.

At the time, I ran the state capital bureau in Columbia, S.C., for the Charleston newspapers. Jackson came to Columbia for a political rally, and I joined his campaign bus and rode with him and others to his hometown of Greenville, S.C., where he grew up in the housing projects.

Jackson, a well-known civil rights leader, had been with Martin Luther King Jr. when he was shot and killed in Memphis in 1968 and was later known for founding Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity), a civil-rights organization in Chicago.

Jackson, of course, was a long shot for the presidential nomination. But he was the first serious black candidate on the ballot in all 50 states and would run again in 1988, then coming even closer to the nomination.

On the hot summer’s day I spent with him on a bus rumbling through the South Carolina countryside, Jackson was accessible, talkative, and seemed keen on making a difference in the race. He mentioned how the Democratic party needed to expand to fully represent all people and how voter registration was important.

I remember him saying that many folks in South Carolina and in cities and small towns throughout the country were not being represented at the national level, that too many Americans faced both economic hardships and healthcare issues not being addressed.

Thinking back on that day, I remember how he seemed more thoughtful than I expected when away from the crowds. When giving speeches, Jackson was often in preacher mode with a dynamic delivery and using slogans and rhymes. But on the bus, he was more soft spoken and often paused before answering a question.

In hindsight, his runs for the presidency in 1984 and 1988 were historic and ultimately paved the way for Barack Obama a generation later. As a political reporter in that moment, I didn’t think of history at the time, nor did I think about history when I covered Ronald Reagan when he first ran for president.

However, history is made a little at a time every day, and it is only later that we truly see the impact of those moments. Even an afternoon in a hot bus on a dusty Southern road can later be seen as a brief part of a long journey in the history of America.

Frank Sayles Jr. is editor and publisher of the Tifton Grapevine and a longtime daily newspaper journalist.

"Blaze," a dog in Berrien County, advances to the quarterfinals of a nationwide pet competition hosted by Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy. The winner gets $10,000 and a cover spread in Modern Dog magazine.

NASHVILLE'S TOP DOG VIES FOR 'AMERICA'S FAVORITE PET'

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

"Blaze," an 8-year-old American Bully breed dog from Nashville in Berrien County has made it to the quarterfinals of “America’s Favorite Pet” national pet competition. The ultimate winner gets a $10,000 grand prize, a cover photo and feature in Modern Dog magazine, and "star-studded appearances."

The competition is hosted by celebrities Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy. The public votes online for its favorite dog. The first vote is free but to vote more than once requires tax-deductible donations supporting PAWS.org (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) in its mission to help sick, injured, and orphaned animals.

The quarterfinal voting ends at 7 p.m. Feb. 26.

Derrick Glausier of Nashville, Blaze's owner, said there will be be more rounds of voting ending sometime in March. As of Tuesday night, Blaze was in first place nationally.

Glausier told the Tifton Grapevine that he got Blaze as a gift from his wife, Wilma, who acquired Blaze from local Nashville breeders Bill Ritter and Freddie Rodriguez.

"He is very loved by our family, obviously, but he can be rambunctious at times," Glausier said. "But overall, he’s nothing more than a lap baby. He spends a lot of time in my lap at night."

Blaze loves to go for a ride and to visit the drive-thru window at the local bank, "looking all pretty for the teller so she will give him a treat. And Christmas is his most favorite time of the year because he loves to help everyone tear the paper off their gifts," Glausier said.

"Blaze just has a way about him that captures your heart. Whether he’s looking at you with his sweet face, running around the living room because he’s wanting to play or has gotten excited, taking up the space on the bathroom mat while you brush your teeth, chasing squirrels, to just giving you what a dog does best – love," said his owner.

Glausier added that Blaze is taking his newfound notoriety in stride: "He isn’t even aware that he’s getting any attention online."

To cast a vote for Blaze as "America's Favorite Pet," Click Here.

TIFTON BREEDER AMONG BOARD MEMBERS OF GA ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Georgia Angus Association voted on its board of directors at its recent annual meeting and banquet in Watkinsville.

The board, pictured from left, are Smitty Lamb of Tifton; Greg Bennett of Cartersville; Andrew McPeake of Arnoldsville, vice president; Kyle Potts of Jefferson; Kyle Gillooly of Wadley; and Ian McClure of Watkinsville, president.

Lamb of Tifton also served on the American Angus Association Board of Directors.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Amber" is a domesticated kitty looking for her new home. Are you looking for that perfect cat to make your family complete? Come visit Amber, and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

BLUE DEVILS WIN REGION 1-AA BASKETBALL TITLE

~ FEB. 18, 1961

The Tifton High School Blue Devils captured the Region 1-AA basketball title on Feb. 18, 1961, with a 71-35 victory over Cairo. Coach Bud Smith led the Blue Devils team of Doug Bodenhamer, Bo Crum, John Orr, Marion Hayes, Bill Patrick, Jack Abbott, J.L. Hall, Mike Conner, Gary Adams, Walter Simpson, Jim Carlisle, Billy Brinson, and Oscar Stewart.

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