Man who fired shots at Zanesville City Hall charged with attempted murder
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio man has been charged with attempted murder after he fired shots at two employees inside Zanesville City Hall on Monday.
Patrick Foraker, 39, fired three times from the street into Zanesville City Hall shortly before 10 a.m. Monday, according to Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch. Foraker was targeting two city water department employees, striking through the exterior glass payment window of the building’s payment office.
“I am relieved there was not a loss of life because of Foraker’s crimes,” 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.”
Foraker is facing two counts of attempted murder, three of felonious assault, three of discharging a firearm over a public roadway, one of carrying a concealed weapon and one of inducing panic.
Shortly after being dispatched, officers found Foraker and took him into custody without incident. City Hall closed after the shooting, and other offices in the area were placed on lockdown, which Welch said resulted in an economic less of more than $1,000.
As a result of the charges, Foraker could be sentenced to decades in prison if convicted. The case will be presented to a grand jury, 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.
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