In the late spring of 2024, the community of Waycross, Georgia, was struck by a sudden tragedy that claimed the life of Landon Carr Bashlor, a young man of 19. A White male known for his love of the outdoors and a contagious smile, Bashlor's life was cut short on the evening of Sunday, May 26, 2024. The incident unfolded in the 3400 block of Albany Highway, where a 911 call reported that Bashlor had been shot inside a vehicle. When deputies from the Ware County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, they discovered Bashlor deceased inside the car.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to lead the inquiry into the untimely death. The investigation soon revealed that another young man, 19-year-old Austin Pittman of Waycross, was present at the time of the shooting. According to the GBI, their investigation indicated that Pittman had been recklessly handling a firearm, which resulted in the weapon discharging and fatally wounding Bashlor. This act, deemed reckless by authorities, led to a swift arrest in the case.
Following the investigation, Austin Pittman was taken into custody and is facing serious charges for his role in the death of Landon Bashlor. The charges brought against him include felony involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor reckless conduct. The case file, upon the completion of the GBI's investigation, is slated to be handed over to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, which will then handle the prosecution. An autopsy was also scheduled to be performed by the GBI Medical Examiner to formally determine the cause of death.
