Seven indicted for drive-by shooting
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Dec. 5, 2023) – A grand jury has handed down formal charges for a drive-by shooting in New Philadelphia.
The two 19-year-olds initially arrested for the October 23rd shooting outside of a home on East High Avenue – Gavin Kurtz and Riley Adams – were indicted Monday for felonious assault, attempted murder, and improperly handling firearms in a vehicle. Three other New Philadelphia residents – 21-year-old Xavier Schott, 20-year-old John Hoopingarner, and 19-year-old Robert Meek II – are facing identical charges for their alleged roles, as is 20-year-old William Baldez of Dover.
Investigators have said that Kurtz was the alleged gunman and that Adams was driving the sedan the shots came from, but we don’t yet know which of the others were with them in the vehicle. Three people were standing outside of the home at the time of the shooting, but no one was injured.
The suspects will enter pleas to the charges during their arraignments in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court, which haven’t been scheduled at this point. A seventh indictment without the firearm charge remains under seal.