Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Charges Filed Against Zanesville City Hall Shooter
Thanks to the quick action of the Zanesville Police Department and the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, Patrick Foraker, age 39, sits in jail for his alleged February 12 attack on Zanesville City Hall.
Foraker is charged with two counts of attempted murder, with a firearm specification; three counts of felonious assault, with a firearm specification; three counts of discharging a firearm over a public roadway, with a firearm specification; one count of carrying a concealed weapon; and one count of inducing panic, with a firearm specification.
The complaint alleges that, shortly before 10 a.m. on February 12, two employees of the city water department were targeted and shot at by Foraker. Foraker allegedly fired three times into the payment office located at the Zanesville City Hall.
The charges of attempted murder are for allegedly firing shots at the two city employees in the payment office when the suspect allegedly fired through the exterior glass payment window.
The felonious assault charges allege Foraker attempted to cause physical harm to the employees by means of a deadly weapon.
The three counts of discharging a firearm over the public roadway stem from Foraker allegedly firing three shots from the middle of a public road while creating a risk of physical harm to someone or causing serious physical harm to property.
The inducing panic charge alleges Foraker caused serious public inconvenience or alarm—the closing of City Hall and the lockdown of other offices in the area—which resulted in economic harm over $1,000. As a result of these charges, Foraker faces decades in prison, if convicted.
Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch says he is grateful no one was physically harmed on February 12.
“I am relieved there was not a loss of life because of Foraker’s crimes,” Prosecutor Welch said. “However, the employees that came under fire have still suffered a trauma most of us cannot imagine. I hope everyone can appreciate what they are going through. “
Prosecutor Welch says local law enforcement officers and citizens both deserve recognition for their bravery during the incident.
“The Zanesville Police Department and the Muskingum County’s Sheriff’s Office deserve recognition for how quickly and effectively this situation was handled,” Prosecutor Welch said. “Officers from both agencies responded immediately and without hesitation to a very dangerous situation involving an armed person who had already shown a willingness to use weapons. Shortly after being dispatched officers found the suspect and took him into custody without incident. It is important to thank the businesses and witnesses who helped law enforcement by providing videos or statements regarding this crime.”
Prosecutor Welch says the complaint against Foraker will be sent to a grand jury very soon.
“Foraker’s case will be presented to a grand jury by the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office for an indictment in the very near future on the charges,” Prosecutor Welch said. “The Prosecutor’s Office is requesting Foraker be held on a $1 million bond for purposes of protecting the public and guaranteeing his appearance at further court hearings.”
All persons are considered innocent until found guilty by a jury of Muskingum County residents.
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