Georgia Bureau of Investigation looking into Tifton armed robbery, murder

TIFTON — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Tift County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a murder and armed robbery that took place over the weekend, officials with the GBI said.

The GBI was asked Sunday to assist the Tift County Sheriff’s Office with a murder and armed robbery investigation. Shortly before 2 a.m., the sheriff’s office responded to Tift Regional Medical Center in reference to a gunshot victim.

The GBI said investigators learned that Zeni Marie Travis, 47, and her mother, a cab driver, had earlier picked up a passenger on Emerson O. Bynes Avenue in Tifton. The passenger directed the two to the 400 block of Mathis Street, where he robbed Travis’ mother and shot Travis, who was in the front seat.

Travis’ mother drove her to Tift Regional, where she died of her injuries, the GBI said.

The GBI said the suspect fled in an unknown direction. The only description of the suspect is that he is a black male. Officials said the investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tift County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 388-6020, the GBI office in Sylvester at (229) 777-2080 or send an email to [email protected].