A tragic mishap turned deadly in Waycross, Georgia, where 19-year-old Austin Pittman stands accused of causing the death of Landon Bashlor, also 19, in an incident involving a firearm. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken Pittman into custody, slapping him with charges of Felony Involuntary Manslaughter and Misdemeanor Reckless Conduct, the agency reported. The shooting that claimed Bashlor's life happened inside a vehicle parked on the 3400 block of Albany Highway. When deputies arrived in response to a 911 call, they discovered Bashlor unresponsive, a bullet wound signaling the premature end to what should have been a long stretch of horizon for the youngster.
According to the GBI's statement, on the evening of May 26, what started presumably as reckless play quickly spiraled into fatal consequences. The GBI's investigation so far reveals that Pittman recklessly interacted with the firearm, which caused the gun to rapidly discharge, striking down Bashlor. Friends or bystanders, it's unclear who, were left to frantically dial 911 to report the grim scene. A GBI Medical Examiner is set to dissect further details with an autopsy slated to understand exactly how a life was silenced so suddenly.
Waycross, a tapestry of homes that witnesses these young souls grow, now has an indelible stitch of sorrow woven into its fabric. The GBI, continuing to unravel the details of that Sunday evening, is calling on the public to come forward with any information. In a bid to piece together the narrative that led to Bashlor's death, they've urged individuals with any knowledge to reach out to the Douglas Regional Investigative Office, the Ware County Sheriff’s Office, or to submit anonymous tips through various channels such as a hotline, online portal, or a dedicated mobile app.
The Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office now waits to thoroughly to review the case file upon completion of the GBI's investigation, deliberating on how to proceed with prosecution.
