Ringgold, GA – A Catoosa County jury has found a convicted felon and known gang member guilty in connection with a 2021 road rage shooting that left a man seriously wounded.
Joshua Aaron Basham was convicted on multiple felony charges, including Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, following a four-day trial held from March 24 to March 27, 2025.
The charges stem from an incident on October 10, 2021, when Basham shot a motorcyclist in the abdomen during a confrontation on Battlefield Parkway. The victim was found lying outside a Taco Bell with a gunshot wound to his lower left abdomen.
According to trial testimony, the shooting occurred after Basham, driving a green Nissan pickup, nearly collided with three motorcyclists. The encounter escalated after both parties exchanged gestures. When the motorcyclists turned into a Walmart parking lot, Basham followed them into the turn lane and confronted the victim. Evidence presented in court showed that the victim was unarmed and did not physically threaten Basham, who had already drawn his firearm before the confrontation escalated.
Basham fled the scene after the shooting. Witnesses helped law enforcement track his vehicle to his father’s residence. He was arrested several days later.
During the trial, the victim and witnesses identified Basham by a distinctive “7” tattoo on his neck. His defense — a claim of self-defense — was ultimately rejected by the jury.
The trial was briefly delayed when Basham appeared in court under the influence of fentanyl and other substances on the second day. He was held in contempt by Superior Court Judge Melissa Hise.
District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller led the prosecution, with assistance from victim advocate Shelby Bradshaw, administrative assistant Jennifer Jackson, and Chief Investigator Christy Smith.
Judge Hise sentenced Basham to 20 years, with 15 years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.
DA Fuller praised the outcome, calling it a strong stand against violent crime.
“We don’t tolerate violent gang members shooting folks on our busy main streets,” Fuller said. “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 has since recovered, expressed appreciation for the efforts of law enforcement and the district attorney’s office.
“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.”