In the quiet town of Sardis, Georgia, on the evening of December 5, 2022, a confrontation at a residence on Tom Bargeron Road ended in tragedy. Responding to a shooting call at approximately 9:15 p.m., Burke County Sheriff's Deputies arrived to find 41-year-old Jason Fort, a White man, deceased in the doorway of his home. The cause of death was determined to be a fatal gunshot wound under his chin.
The preliminary investigation swiftly pointed to a confrontation as the precursor to the shooting. Authorities identified 37-year-old Joshua Glendell Hammock of Girard, Georgia, as the individual who allegedly shot Fort. It was reported that Hammock had gone to Fort's residence accompanied by two of his family members, one of whom was his father, Joe Hammock. The events that transpired between the men led to the fatal encounter that cut Jason Fort's life short.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the Burke County Sheriff's Office arrested Joshua Glendell Hammock. He was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and was subsequently booked into the Burke County Detention Center. The news of the arrest sent ripples of shock through the community, as many who knew Hammock did not perceive him as a violent person. The investigation into the precise circumstances of the confrontation and shooting continued.
For over a year, the case proceeded through the legal system. As of early 2024, the case had not yet been presented to a grand jury, though the District Attorney's office confirmed it was still an active case. A change in prosecutors occurred when the Burke County Assistant District Attorney recused himself, and an Assistant District Attorney from Augusta took over the file. Finally, in June 2024, the Burke County Grand Jury heard the evidence in the murder case against Joshua Hammock. After consideration, the grand jury returned a 'no bill' of indictment, meaning they did not find sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial. Consequently, the District Attorney's office announced that Joshua Hammock would not be prosecuted for the death of Anthony Jason Fort, and the case is now considered closed.
