A Savannah man has been handed a significant federal prison sentence following his involvement in a City Market shooting incident that left two people injured. Joshua Bowser, 29, received a sentence of 125 months for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office on June 10.
Bowser's conviction stems from a violent episode on Nov. 6, 2022, where following a brief altercation, he discharged his weapon multiple times in a crowded public space, striking two individuals. According to Jill E. Steinberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Bowser "demonstrated blatant disregard for the safety of hundreds of residents and visitors" in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office. There is no option for parole in the federal prison system.
Witnesses and court testimony revealed that the shooting occurred after the victim hit Bowser and then backed away. Bowser then pulled a 9mm semiautomatic firearm from his waistband, firing several shots as the unarmed man attempted to flee the scene. A female bystander was also hit by the gunfire. Though both victims required hospital treatment, they survived the attack. Savannah Police apprehended Bowser later the same day.
In February, Bowser pled guilty to the federal charge, which led to U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker augmenting his sentence, citing his actions amounted to attempted murder, and resulted in serious bodily injury, as supported by the account of Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Kolodka described Bowser as "a very violent individual who displays a total lack of concern for the lives of others," in a dialogue with the U.S. Attorney's Office. The sentence aims to prevent further harm or terrorization by Bowser.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in conjunction with the Savannah Police Department, conducted the investigation into the shooting. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Makeia R. Jonese was responsible for the prosecution on behalf of the United States.
