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Franklin Grayson, 29, of Florida appeared before Judge Kelly Cottrill Oct. 17, where he pleaded guilty at least 25 times to 11 felonies and their attached specifications across two cases.Grayson tried to hurt the school and minimize his distance from his target by researching away baseball games, according to the prosecutor.
NEW CONCORD – A Florida man hatched a scheme in March 2023 to enact vengeance against his former college, and he used Muskingum University as ground zero when he shot a baseball player three times.
Franklin Jarcia Grayson, 29, of Jacksonville, Florida went before Judge Kelly Cottrill on Oct. 17 and pleaded guilty at least 25 times to 11 felonies and their attached specifications across two cases:
One count of attempted murder, first degreeFour counts of felonious assault, all second degreeTwo counts of improperly discharging a firearm, both second degreeOne count of inducing panic, fourth degreeOne count of carrying a concealed weapon, fourth degreeOne count of tampering with evidence, third degreeMultiple three-year firearm and two-year school safety zone specificationsOne count of assault against a correctional officer (second case), fifth degreeUniversity of Olivet baseball player was shot following game in March 2023
On March 17, 2023, Grayson shot the male victim, a baseball player from the University of Olivet (Michigan), after a game.
He had no connection to the victim, but he did to the college. Grayson was a former Olivet student and his time there was reportedly tumultuous and included some disciplinary action, explained Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle.
Grayson tried to hurt the school and minimize his distance from his target by researching away baseball games, Litle noted.
Grayson put together an intricate plan that included flying into the John Glenn Airport in Columbus, renting a truck, purchasing a bike, taking both and parking at an interstate exit, and using the bike to travel to Muskingum University’s baseball field on Stadium Drive in New Concord.
After the incident, many witnesses saw Grayson in gray clothing and his efforts to discard them. He had hidden a duffle bag in a wooded area at some point, Litle noted.
Numerous local businesses and media outlets also lent a hand, supplying bits and pieces of video footage that investigators were able to use.
“Everyone in the community came together to find him,” Litle said.
The truck was eventually found, so was an empty box for a gun and Grayson’s phone. A storage unit was also eventually found with more evidence in it, Litle added.
The man who was shot is doing fine now, after initially being transported to Genesis Hospital.
When will Franklin Grayson be sentenced?
As part of a plea bargain, four of Grayson’s charges could be dropped, including three counts of tampering with evidence and one for illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon.
The state and defense made no prison recommendation, so they’ll argue for fair terms at a future sentencing hearing.
A prison term is difficult to estimate in Grayson’s case. Some counts are eligible to merge, and the specifications won’t add years onto every single charge, according to officials.
Grayson’s court proceedings have been prolonged after he was found incompetent in August 2023. He received treatment at Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare, a mental health clinic in Athens, and was deemed competent in February 2025.
He was originally indicted on the 14 felony counts on March 22, 2023. He pleaded not guilty to all of them a week later.
Grayson was first booked into the Muskingum County Jail on a $1 million bond. Another $75,000 was added for his involvement in the second case, after he reportedly attacked an officer in June 2023 while incarcerated.
Shawn Digity is a reporter for the Zanesville Times Recorder. He can be emailed at sdigity@gannett.com or found on X at @ShawnDigityZTR.