Michael J. Bacha Obituary, Hampshire County, WV Shooting Death – In Loving Memory
The community is mourning the tragic and violent death of 71-year-old Michael J. Bacha, who was fatally shot on May 13, 2026, in the Slanesville area. What began as an ordinary afternoon in a rural neighborhood ended in a devastating incident that has left family members, friends, and residents struggling to come to terms with the loss and seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, 911 dispatchers received a call at approximately 1:58 p.m. reporting a male victim with gunshot wounds outside a residence off Redstone Mountain Court, near Spring Gap Road. Deputies and troopers from the West Virginia State Police responded to the scene, where they found Mr. Bacha deceased, later determining he had been dead for several hours before discovery.
Investigators say the situation quickly escalated into a large-scale manhunt after the suspect, identified as 83-year-old Robert Allen Shartzer, fled the area on a 4-wheeler into nearby wooded terrain. Authorities believed he was armed during the search, prompting a coordinated response involving multiple agencies, including air support and K-9 units from neighboring jurisdictions.
Due to the difficult rural terrain, additional assistance was provided by the Maryland State Police helicopter unit and sheriff’s office drone teams, as search crews worked through dense forest and rugged landscape throughout the evening.
After several hours, deputies located Shartzer at approximately 7:22 p.m. on an old logging road and took him into custody without incident. A loaded handgun was recovered, and officials stated that the suspect admitted involvement in the shooting during questioning.
Authorities reported that the victim had been assisting the suspect with transportation earlier in the day, and investigators believe a dispute stemming from prior disagreements escalated into violence outside the residence. Officials confirmed Mr. Bacha was unarmed at the time of the shooting and that evidence indicates the shots were fired at close range.
The investigation remains ongoing as the Hampshire County community mourns the loss of a longtime resident remembered for his presence in the rural Slanesville area, while law enforcement continues to piece together the events that led to the fatal encounter.