75-Year-Old Barrow County Man Jailed on Murder Charge

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - Paul Lamar Hamilton, at age 75, is likely among the oldest inmates at the Barrow County Detention Center.

The Barrow County Sheriff's Office said Hamilton shot and killed a man at the intersection of Charlie Hall and Old Hog Mountain roads between Hoschton and Winder Saturday morning. They said Hamilton drove there after a friend told him he had spotted people who had burglarized his home earlier in the day. Investigators said Hamilton stopped the vehicle at that intersection and that's when the altercation occurred.

Hamilton told the deputy he drew his firearm after he was grabbed by subjects in the vehicle, saying "That's when I shot him deader than blank".

They also say a few hours earlier Hamilton told a deputy who had responded to an apparent burglary at his property, "If I catch someone else on my property you'll need to call the coroner".

The police report stated the victim, Brandon Lay, was slumped over the wheel and pronounced dead at the scene. It also stated Lay and two women reportedly had been spotted at Hamilton's property.

The investigation continues into exactly what happened at the property which ultimately led to a life altering event for Paul Lamar Hamilton. The Sheriff's Office said it's best to "let police handle that situation."

Hamilton is charged with three counts of aggravated assault, murder and felony murder.