A quiet Thomasville neighborhood was shaken late Thursday night after a deadly shooting left one woman dead and a teenager injured, prompting a swift police response and the arrest of a 71‑year‑old suspect. The incident unfolded at 112 Tremont Street, where officers were dispatched just before 8 p.m. following reports of gunfire inside a residence. The violence stunned residents who described the area as typically calm and family‑oriented.
When officers arrived at 7:59 p.m., they found 18‑year‑old Christopher Gardin suffering from a gunshot wound inside the home. Emergency responders quickly provided aid before transporting him to a local hospital, where he was later reported to be in stable condition. As officers continued searching the residence, they discovered a second victim who had not survived the attack.
The second victim, 69‑year‑old Cynthia Duff, was found with a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that the shooting involved individuals who knew one another, though they have not released further details about the circumstances leading up to the violence. The discovery of two victims inside the home intensified the urgency of the investigation.
Police identified 71‑year‑old Clarence Taft Duff as the suspect and learned he had left the residence before officers arrived. A brief search followed, and officers located him a short time later in his vehicle on the 500 block of National Highway, where he was taken into custody without incident. Investigators have not yet disclosed a motive but confirmed that Duff faces multiple charges, including first‑degree murder.
Detectives spent several hours processing the scene on Tremont Street, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. The shooting is believed to be an isolated incident, and authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The home remained cordoned off as investigators worked to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the deadly encounter.
As the Thomasville community absorbs the shock of the tragedy, loved ones of Cynthia Duff are mourning her loss, while support has poured in for the recovery of Christopher Gardin. Police continue to urge anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation moves toward prosecution and the search for answers continues.
