Family member arrested in Georgia after Crowley ISD JROTC instructor fatally shot

LOWNDES COUNTY, Georgia — A family member in Georgia has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Crowley ISD Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instructor.

According to Fort Worth police, the family member was arrested Saturday morning more than 1,000 miles away in Valdosta, Georgia.

Investigators believe the family member shot and killed 54-year-old Master Sergeant Gene Bass in the front yard of a home on Chesapeake Bay Dr. Friday afternoon. Investigators said the suspect drove up to the home in a car and fired several shots before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Crowley ISD said Bass worked with cadets from all of Crowley ISD’s middle and high school campuses, describing him as a “loved” and “valued” member of their family.

“This is an incredibly sad time for all of us, especially those who knew MSGT Bass as a teacher and friend,” the school district said in a statement. “He was an outstanding educator and colleague and touched the lives of countless students and staff.”

The family member has not yet been identified and there is no motive.

This is an evolving story.