Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 25, 2026
BESSER CONVICTED OF SHOOTING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT
(ZANESVILLE, Ohio) — A Dresden woman who opened fire on law enforcement officers attempting to execute a court-ordered eviction has been convicted of multiple felony charges.
Rebecca Besser, 45, was convicted of three counts of Felonious Assault, first-degree felonies involving law enforcement officers, and one count of Felonious Assault, a second-degree felony.
Besser was also found guilty of two seven-year firearm specifications and agreed to forfeit the two firearms she used to shoot at law enforcement.
The charges stem from a March 25 incident at Besser's West Ninth Street apartment in Dresden.
A COURT ORDER ESCALATES INTO GUNFIRE
Muskingum County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Swope and Dresden Police Chief Charles Doan initially went to Besser's apartment to execute a court-ordered eviction.
Besser refused to open the door and told Deputy Swope she had a gun and would use it if law enforcement entered.
Officers withdrew to positions of safety, neighboring apartments were evacuated, and nearby Tri-Valley schools were placed on lockdown.
Law enforcement spent approximately two hours attempting to convince Besser to leave the apartment peacefully.
Those efforts were unsuccessful.
The Muskingum County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team ultimately used its BearCat to breach the barricaded front door.
As the door opened, Besser fired at law enforcement from inside the apartment.
A deputy providing cover from the turret of the BearCat returned fire.
After the initial exchange of gunfire stopped, Detective Tanner Morton deployed an interior drone into the apartment in an effort to locate Besser without requiring officers to immediately enter the residence.
Besser shot and disabled the drone.
Another exchange of gunfire followed before Besser eventually surrendered.
THE BEARCAT TOOK NINE BULLET STRIKES
The physical evidence demonstrated the danger faced by law enforcement.
Investigators recovered nine spent cartridge casings from inside Besser's apartment and two loaded semiautomatic handguns.
The Sheriff's Office BearCat sustained nine bullet strikes.
Five rounds struck the BearCat's ram plate and four struck the vehicle on or just above its front window, immediately below Deputy Prouty's position.
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said the incident demonstrates why modern tactical equipment is an important investment in officer safety.
“Before equipment like the BearCat was available, officers confronting an armed person barricaded inside a residence could have been forced to make an entry behind ballistic shields, exposing them to a much greater danger of being shot,” Welch said.
“The BearCat and the use of drones do not eliminate the danger. Nothing can make an armed confrontation safe. What this equipment does is give law enforcement more options and reduce the amount of time officers have to unnecessarily expose themselves to gunfire.”
Welch said the nine bullet strikes to the BearCat provide a particularly powerful example.
“Nine rounds struck that vehicle. Four struck immediately below the position of one of our deputies. You don't have to speculate about whether this equipment can save the life of a police officer. Look at the bullet strikes.”
BRAVERY WHEN A ROUTINE CALL BECAME A DEADLY ENCOUNTER
Welch also praised the officers, deputies, dispatchers, negotiators, and tactical personnel who responded.
“These men and women went to work that morning just like many of us do but their days are not the same as most. Within a short period of time, they were facing an armed individual firing bullets at them,” Welch said.
“That is how quickly the job can change for a police officer. A routine assignment can become a deadly encounter in seconds.”
“What stands out to me is the discipline and bravery demonstrated by everyone involved. They evacuated innocent neighbors, protected nearby schools, spent considerable time trying to achieve a peaceful surrender, used less-lethal options, used technology to reduce unnecessary exposure, and when they were fired upon, they did what was necessary to protect themselves and each other.”
“We ask law enforcement officers to walk toward dangers the rest of us are trying to escape. The people of Muskingum County should appreciate the courage demonstrated by these officers that day.”
Besser will be sentenced at a later date.
###
Follow the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office on Facebook for the most current and complete information.
