Franklin J. Grayson, a 29-year-old man from Jacksonville, Florida, has admitted guilt to a series of charges connected to a shooting incident that occurred at Muskingum University. The event, which transpired on March 17, 2023, left an Olivet College baseball player injured after being shot three times. In a recent court appearance, Grayson faced charges that include attempted murder, felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm into a school safety zone, inducing panic, carrying a concealed weapon, and tampering with evidence. According to a statement from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office, Grayson is now potentially facing more than 35 years in prison.
Grayson's plea marks a conclusion to an investigation that began when the victim was found with multiple gunshot wounds after returning to the baseball dugout to look for a lost sweatshirt. The shooter took advantage of the empty grounds to carry out the attack, prosecutors suggest. He strategically planned to quickly and somewhat efficiently distance himself from the scene by utilizing a bike and abandoning his phone and electronic devices in a rented vehicle parked miles away from the campus, as video surveillance from local businesses helped piece together his movements. This evidence trail was crucial in Grayson's apprehension.
The case changed when Grayson pretended to have mental health problems, which the court later ruled was fake. After more than a year of treatment, he was found fit to stand trial. However, he kept causing trouble in court—even urinating on the courtroom floor during a hearing. Despite this, the judge decided he knew what he was doing and continued with the case.
The victim has since recovered from his injuries, while Grayson's sentencing is scheduled for a later date.
