Man Charged With Murder in Fatal Weekend Shooting

A Toccoa man is charged with murder after a shooting early Sunday morning just outside the Toccoa city limits.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley identified the suspect charged as 73-year-old Gary Lamar Patrick of 184 Patrick Lane in Toccoa and the victim as 41-year-old Richard Gary Bump of 11 Patrick Lane.

Shirley said that investigators were called regarding a shooting that occurred at 12:16 a.m. Sunday at 11 Patrick Lane.

The sheriff said that Patrick had previously been at the residence and the confronted the sister of Bump.

According to Shirley, an argument ensued but Patrick left.

However, Shirley said that Patrick came back again and began arguing with the homeowner.

The sheriff said that Bump, the brother of the homeowner, stepped in between them in an attempt to stop Patrick, who appeared to the homeowner to be intoxicated, from arguing with her.

Shirley said Patrick subsequently shot Bump in the chest area and Bump died at the scene.

According to the sheriff, the GBI was called in to assist and the gun was recovered from Patrick, who remained at the scene and was taken into custody after deputies did initial interviews.

Shirley said the body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur for an autopsy.

Patrick is charged with one count of murder and remains in jail without bond.

NOTE: Richard Gary Bump is an alias, according to new information from Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley.  The man’s name is Robert Gary Hiott, said Shirley, who explained that the victim had previously used both names with authorities.