Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
ZANESVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SHOOTING INTO SEMI-TRUCK
(ZANESVILLE, Ohio) — A Zanesville man who fired a gun into the cab of a semi-truck while traveling on the roadway has pleaded guilty to two felony offenses and now faces up to 14 years in prison.
Robert Knight, 72, appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Gerald Anderson and pleaded guilty to Improperly Discharging a Firearm At or Into a Habitation or School Safety Zone with a firearm specification and Obstructing Official Business.
Knight has a prior conviction for Aggravated Menacing.
He faces between seven and 14 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date.
THE SHOOTING
On March 22, 2026, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers responded after a semi-truck driver reported that the driver of a blue Ford Mustang had fired a gun at his truck.
Dash-camera video from the semi captured the events leading up to the shooting.
The video showed the Mustang passing the semi in the right lane before slowing down and drifting across the hashed lines separating the lanes of travel.
The Mustang continued slowing until the two vehicles were traveling next to each other.
The semi then suddenly swerved. The truck driver reported that he swerved because the driver of the Mustang had fired at him.
Sergeant Dent examined the semi and observed a hole in the right side of the truck consistent with a bullet entering the cab.
BUILDING THE CASE
Investigators used multiple pieces of evidence to identify the Mustang and connect Knight to the shooting.
A Flock license-plate-reader search using the description of the Mustang returned a vehicle matching specific features visible in the semi's dash-camera footage.
Investigators determined that Knight owned the Mustang, and Knight also matched the truck driver's description of the person driving the vehicle.
The investigation did not stop there.
Detective Bryan Ruff, who led the investigation, located a spent shell casing on the passenger-side floor of Knight's Mustang.
Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant for Knight's residence. During the search, investigators discovered 18 firearms along with ammunition throughout the residence.
TECHNOLOGY AND TRADITIONAL POLICE WORK
The investigation demonstrates how technology can assist law enforcement while remaining only one part of building a criminal case.
In this case, Flock technology helped investigators identify a vehicle matching the Mustang captured on the victim's dash camera.
Investigators then continued building the case through witness information, video evidence, examination of the damaged semi, physical evidence recovered from Knight's Mustang, and evidence obtained pursuant to a search warrant.
TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
When officers went to Knight's residence, Knight refused commands, became increasingly angry and aggressive, and would not remain in one place.
His conduct resulted in the Zanesville Special Response Team using non-lethal measures to take him into custody.
Knight was ultimately taken into custody without further incident.
THE GUILTY PLEA
Knight has now pleaded guilty to two felony offenses arising from the incident.
He faces between seven and 14 years in prison when he returns to Judge Anderson for sentencing at a later date.
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