CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. – A Catoosa County jury convicted a known gang member and convicted felon for the shooting of a man during a road rage incident that occurred on October 10, 2021.

After a four-day trial from March 24, 2025 to March 27, 2025, the jury rejected Joshua Aaron Basham’s self-defense claim, finding him guilty of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The Defendant caused a delay in the trial by showing up to the second day under the influence of fentanyl and several other drugs-for which he was held in contempt by the Honorable Judge Melissa Hise.

The case was tried by District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller who was assisted by Shelby Bradshaw as victim advocate, Jennifer Jackson as administrative assistant, and Chief Investigator Christy Smith who provided critical assistance with getting the case ready for trial.

On the day of the shooting, officers responded to Battlefield Parkway following reports of a male shot in the abdomen.

Law Enforcement advised that the suspect vehicle was a green Nissan truck driven by a white male with tattoos.

The victim was found lying on the ground in front of Taco Bell with a single gunshot wound to his lower left abdomen.

According to trial evidence, the victim and two friends were riding motorcycles when they were nearly struck by the Defendant who they believed was a distracted driver on the phone.

The victim and two friends exchanged single-finger salutes with the truck driver who engaged in pleasantries as well.

After the parties kept up foreign relations, the motorcycles disengaged to turn into the Walmart in Fort Oglethorpe to get change for gas money.

Instead of continuing on his path westbound, the Defendant swerved into the turn lane with the friends on their motorcycles.

Despite claiming self-defense, evidence showed that the victim never physically attacked the Defendant and the gun was already out of the truck and pointed at the victim shortly after he got off his motorcycle to ask the truck driver why he swerved back to follow them.

Moreover, the Defendant, a convicted felon, could not lawfully carry a firearm when he shot the unarmed victim.

After the shooting, the green Nissan truck sped a short distance away.

Multiple trial witnesses provided evidence of the truck’s route which ended at the Basham’s father’s house.

The Defendant fled the scene and was apprehended by law enforcement days later.

During dramatic testimony, the friends and the victim each identified the Defendant by a unique “7” tattoo on the Defendant’s neck that they recalled the shooter having as well.

The Defendant was sentenced to 20 years with 15 years to be served in the Department of Corrections by Judge Melissa Hise. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller praised the jury’s verdict and the judge’s sentence, delivering a strong message to violent offenders:

“We don’t tolerate violent gang members shooting folks on our busy main streets,” said Fuller.

“You bring that kind of lawlessness to Catoosa County, and we’ve got a prison cell waiting with your name on it.”

The victim, who recovered from his injuries, expressed gratitude to those who helped bring justice:

“I want to thank DA Fuller and his whole team for standing by me through this,” the victim said.

“And I especially want to thank the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department for their quick work in finding the shooter. Because of all of them, I can finally breathe a little easier knowing he’s off the streets for a long time.”