Catoosa County jury convicts gang member in 2021 road rage shooting

Joshua Aaron Basham

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Catoosa County jury has convicted a known gang member in connection with a 2021 road rage shooting.

The incident occurred on October 10, 2021, when the victim and two friends were riding motorcycles and were almost hit by a green Nissan truck.

According to the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s Office, the victim and two friends exchanged single-finger salutes with the truck driver, who engaged in pleasantries as well.

After the brief interaction, the motorcycles got into another lane, attempting to turn into a nearby Walmart parking lot in Fort Oglethorpe.

Instead of driving on, the truck driver swerved into the same turn lane, exited his vehicle, and shot the victim in the abdomen.

After the shooting, he fled the scene and was later found at his father’s home.

Witnesses testified that the shooter was identified by a distinct “7” tattoo on his neck, which helped link Joshua Aaron Basham to the crime.

The trial was delayed after Basham appeared under the influence of fentanyl and other drugs on the second day of proceedings.

He was held in contempt of court for the disruption.

Basham was eventually found guilty of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Basham has been sentenced to 20 years, with 15 to be served in prison.

The victim has since recovered from the shooting.