In the quiet town of Pittsburg, Kansas, the life of 18-year-old Adam Basauri was tragically cut short on the evening of Friday, January 9, 2026. A senior at Girard High School, Basauri was known for his love of family, friends, and football, where he was a running back for the Trojans. His kind and beautiful soul, along with a contagious laugh, made him a beloved figure in the community.
The fatal incident occurred at Schlanger Park, where first responders were dispatched around 8:52 p.m. to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Basauri had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body was subsequently sent to Kansas City for an autopsy. Witnesses at the park informed investigators that a brief altercation had taken place between Basauri and another individual, which escalated to the shooting. The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle.
Law enforcement, acting on witness statements, quickly identified a 17-year-old suspect. At approximately 9:46 p.m., deputies with the Crawford County Sheriff's Office located the suspect and his vehicle in Arma, Kansas. The juvenile, identified as Marcus Maddox of Pittsburg, was taken into custody and transported to the Pittsburg Police Department for questioning. Family members of Basauri later revealed that he and Maddox knew each other and had been childhood friends.
Following the investigation, the 17-year-old was arrested and initially held on a requested charge of second-degree murder. He was transported to the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Girard. Subsequently, the Crawford County Attorney formally charged the teenager with first-degree murder, four counts of aggravated child endangerment, and criminal use of a weapon. A detention hearing was held, and his next court date was scheduled for February 6th. The community has since rallied around the Basauri family, organizing vigils and fundraisers to offer their support in the face of their profound loss.
