UPDATE March 23, 2023. The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office shared the following release on their website:
The Muskingum County Grand Jury indicted 26-year-old Franklin Grayson of Jacksonville, Florida in connection to the March 17 shooting at Muskingum University in which the defendant shot a baseball player from Olivet College multiple times following the game.
The Grand Jury charged Grayson with 14 felony counts:
Ct. 1). Attempted murder with a firearm and school safety zone specification
Ct. 2-5). Felonious assault with firearm and school safety zone specifications
Ct. 6-7). Improperly discharging a firearm at, in or into a school safety zone with firearm and school safety zone specifications
Ct. 8). Inducing panic with a firearm specification
Ct. 9). Carrying a concealed weapon
Ct. 10). Illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone
Ct. 11-14). Tampering with evidence, with count 12 carrying a firearm specification
The Grand Jury’s indictment identifies felonious assault both by means of serious harm and by means of a deadly weapon. The indictment further specifies two separate instances of conduct resulting in injury.
Pertaining to the school safety zone specifications, members of the Grand Jury determined that the shooting at the university’s baseball field occurred within 1,000 feet of the East Muskingum Schools campus. Ohio law defines such an area as a school safety zone. The firearm specifications attached to several counts of the indictment refer to the gun Grayson used to commit those crimes of violence.
The four counts of tampering with evidence reflect the actions Grayson took to evade capture or prosecution. According to the indictment, the defendant tampered with his phone, the firearm, his gloves and his clothing.
“The additional charges represent the full range of crimes committed by this defendant,” Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said. “Our office was able to begin prosecuting this case immediately due to the swift and thorough investigation between multiple law enforcement agencies led by Detectives Brandon Hamilton and Jeremy Archer of the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.”
If convicted on all counts of the indictment, Grayson faces a prison sentence of more than 30 years.
The defendant remains in the Muskingum County Jail on a $1 million bond.
During Grayson’s initial appearance in Muskingum County Court Tuesday, Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch explained to the Court that the defendant has no ties to the local community and has already proven to be a flight risk given his behavior the night of the shooting.
The defendant took significant steps to arrive in Muskingum County to commit his crimes and immediately fled the scene after shooting the victim three times.
Further investigation established that the defendant was a graduate of Olivet College with absolutely no other connection to the victim or Muskingum University.
Grayson left his rental vehicle at another location away from the crime scene.
“The defendant represents a danger to not only this community but anywhere he may be released,” Prosecutor Welch said in court. “Any type of monitoring would be insufficient.”
Grayson will appear in person in the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas for arraignment on Wednesday, March 29.
UPDATE March 20, 2023. Muskingum University Police issued the following request:
If you attended the game, witnessed the incident, and have not yet been interviewed by the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, they are requesting that you contact Detective Brandon Hamilton at (740) 452-3637 extension 6080. Eyewitnesses are encourage to contact him in the next two days to keep the investigation moving forward.
UDPATE March 19, 2023. The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office shared the following release on their website:
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office has filed initial charges related to a shooting that occurred at Muskingum University following a March 17 baseball game with Olivet College in Michigan.
Franklin J. Grayson of Jacksonville, Florida has been charged with one count of attempted murder with a firearm specification and one count of felonious assault with a firearm specification.
The victim in the shooting was an Olivet College baseball player. The suspect shot the victim three separate times.
Eyewitness descriptions of the suspect and the clothing he was wearing eventually resulted in his quick apprehension.
The coordinated response of numerous law enforcement agencies allowed this dangerous situation to quickly be contained for the protection of the campus and surrounding communities.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is recovering and in stable condition.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim, his family and all others impacted by this crime.
In Ohio, attempted murder is a first-degree felony punishable by a 3-11 year prison sentence. The gun specification can add an additional 3 years to any sentence imposed by the court.
Felonious assault is a second-degree felony with a 2-8 year sentencing range. The gun specification attached to this count can also add an additional 3 years to any sentence imposed by the court.
Since both of these charges involve the same act, shooting another person with a firearm, only one sentence can be imposed, meaning the maximum sentence as the defendant is currently charged is 14 years.
As this investigation is still ongoing, the possibility remains that additional charges may be filed.
The defendant is currently in the custody of the Muskingum County Sheriff and the Prosecutor’s Office has requested $1 million bail.
Follow the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office on Facebook for the most current and complete information.
UPDATE March 18, 2023. Muskingum University President Susan S. Hasseler shared the following update to the campus community:
Muskingum University shared the following news release on March 17, 2023 regarding a shooting on campus:
At 7:03 p.m., the first 911 call reporting shots fired at Mose Moorehead Baseball Field at Muskingum University was received. One victim, a player from the visiting Olivet College baseball team was shot multiple times following the game.
Emergency personnel and 911 were immediately contacted. The victim was transported by ambulance and is currently being treated at a local hospital.
The university notified the campus community at 7:23 p.m. and issued a shelter in place.
Law enforcement from Muskingum University, New Concord Police Department, and the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office began investigating immediately and searching for a suspect based upon witness descriptions.
At 7:45 p.m. a suspect was taken into custody. At 9:15 p.m., the university lifted the shelter in place and notified the community that the suspect was in custody and the campus was safe.
The investigation is ongoing.
Muskingum University shared on their website all athletic events for Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19, are canceled.
