In the quiet, marshy landscape of Grafton, Virginia, a day of hunting turned into a tragedy that would forever alter the lives of two families. On the afternoon of December 19, 2014, David W. Ware Jr., a 68-year-old White male, was in pursuit of a fox that had been preying on his chickens. With his shotgun at his side, the semi-retired businessman and former James City County Supervisor ventured into the wetlands near his home.
At the same time, 21-year-old Brandon Bartlett was at his
residence on Lakeside Drive, which bordered Ware's property. Having just returned from a duck hunt, Bartlett was unloading his gear when he perceived movement in the marsh. Believing he had spotted a deer, he retrieved his own shotgun, took aim at the flicker of white he saw in the dense undergrowth, and fired a single, fatal shot.
Realizing his grave mistake, Bartlett and his girlfriend rushed into the marsh to find Ware with a gunshot wound to the chest. Bartlett immediately called 911 and was found attempting to administer CPR when authorities arrived. Tragically, his efforts were in vain, and David Ware Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. His own shotgun lay beside him, unfired.
The York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office promptly launched an investigation into the shooting. Brandon Bartlett was arrested and initially charged with second-degree murder. Investigators concluded that while the shooting was accidental, it was the result of reckless behavior, as Bartlett had failed to properly identify his target before firing. The case drew significant media attention, highlighting the devastating consequences of misidentification in a community where hunting is a common pastime.
After a thorough investigation, the charge against Bartlett was reduced from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter. This change reflected the prosecution's belief that the act, while negligent, was not born of malice. In July 2016, Brandon Bartlett was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but approximately 18 months suspended. The tragic death of David Ware Jr. serves as a somber reminder of the irreversible consequences of a single moment of carelessness.
