On October 12, 2023, 27-year-old Joshua Wayne Payton was fatally shot in Smyrna, Georgia, in a violent act that also claimed the life of a 54-year-old woman, Shawna Leonard. Payton, a resident of Newnan, was a surveyor at McClung Surveying. He was known for his jovial nature and for being a beacon of joy and laughter to those who knew him.
The incident unfolded in the late afternoon at approximately 4:40 p.m. at a business located at 4833 South Cobb Drive.
A lone suspect, who was known to both victims, approached the establishment and opened fire, killing both Payton and Leonard. Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. Family members reported that Joshua Payton died while attempting to protect his co-worker from the gunman.
Law enforcement was able to track the suspect's vehicle using Flock cameras. As officers closed in on the vehicle near the intersection of the East-West Connector and Powder Springs Road, the suspect took his own life before an arrest could be made. The investigation into the double homicide and suicide is ongoing. The precise relationship between the shooter and the victims has not been publicly detailed, nor have the specific motivations for the attack.
Joshua Payton was born on July 7, 1996, and had a twin brother. He was remembered by his family and friends for his loving nature, his sense of humor, and his passion for skateboarding.
