News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Following Arrest, Drive-By Shooting Results in Immediate Plea, 15 Year Prison Sentence

ZANESVILLE, OH –

A 21-year-old man, Malik Gibson, admitted guilt to shooting into a Muskingum County residence several times while in a moving vehicle.

On March 17, 2026, Gibson admitted guilt to his crimes by way of a Prosecutor’s Bill of Information. A Bill of Information is a charging process where a criminal defendant waives the right to have his case heard by the Muskingum County Grand Jury and agrees to plead guilty to a set of criminal charges.

Gibson’s Bill of Information charged him with two counts: Felonious Assault with a Drive-by Specification and Having Weapons While Under Disability, both felonies. The State’s recommendation was a fifteen (15) year prison sentence.

Malik’s criminal history includes prior convictions for Inducing Panic, Assault, and Attempted Assault on a Police Officer. At the time of the crime, he was on community control for Obstructing Official Business.

Judge Anderson followed the State’s prison recommendation and sentenced Gibson to 15 years in prison.

Details of the Case:

On February 2, 2026, the Zanesville Police Department received multiple calls reporting gun shots fired into an apartment building in Muskingum County. Several residents of the four-unit building were home at the time of the shooting including a family with three children.

Seconds before the shots were fired a witness was outside of his residence when he observed a mini van turning onto the building’s road. As the van was turning the witness heard a young male yelling from inside the van “come outside, come outside.” An arm then reached out of the right-side passenger window firing several shots into the building before speeding away.

At the scene officers located four bullet holes in front of one of the units as well as eight spent 9mm casings in the roadway.

After interviewing the residents and reviewing nearby security footage, detectives were able to identify and locate the van. A search of the van produced various ammunition including 9mm ammunition which matched the casings. Also found were open containers and a 12 pack of twisted tea.

Detectives were then contacted by the Municipal Court Probation Office in reference to Malik Gibson reporting that one of the shooting victims had been talking to him about a “pipe,” being street slang for a gun. Gibson was later interviewed by Det. James Devoll and admitted being inside the van at the time of the shooting. Gibson was then arrested on probation violations.

As Gibson was escorted into the jail booking area a 9mm round was found on him during a search of his person. The round matched the casings found at the scene of the crime.

During a search warrant of Gibson’s home detectives recovered evidence linking him to the firearm including several bullet holes in the home, fired 9mm Hornady casings and a box of Hornady ammunition. Several witnesses reported to detectives that Gibson showed them the firearm weeks leading up to the shooting.

Ultimately, Gibson admitted that he had purchased a gun from one of the victims of the shooting, and later had issues with this person, so he used the gun in an attempt to shoot up the victim’s apartment.

In doing so, he shot at multiple occupied apartments, including three which were occupied by totally uninvolved persons, including numerous children.

It was less than 30 days between Gibson being identified as a suspect and his plea of guilty in this case.

“Once again, a dangerous situation involving a repeat-participant in the criminal justice system was brought to a close without delay according to Assistant Prosecutor John Litle, who handled the case. “Criminals in this county know that when they get caught, they will face significant punishment, allowing us to provide swift, efficient justice for the public.”

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