ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — A Dresden woman has been convicted of multiple felony charges after opening fire on law enforcement officers during a court-ordered eviction at her apartment in March.
Rebecca Besser, 45, was found guilty of three counts of felonious assault, first-degree felonies involving law enforcement officers, and one count of second-degree felonious assault.
Besser was also found guilty of two seven-year firearm specifications and agreed to forfeit the two firearms used during the incident.
The charges stem from a March 25 incident at Besser’s West Ninth Street apartment in Dresden.
Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Swope and Dresden Police Chief Charles Doan initially went to the apartment to execute a court-ordered eviction. According to prosecutors, Besser refused to open the door and told Swope she had a gun and would use it if officers entered.
Officers withdrew to positions of safety, neighboring apartments were evacuated and nearby Tri-Valley schools were placed on lockdown.
Law enforcement spent approximately two hours attempting to convince Besser to leave the apartment peacefully, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team eventually used a BearCat armored vehicle to breach the barricaded front door.
As the door opened, Besser fired at law enforcement from inside the apartment. A deputy providing cover from the BearCat returned fire.
After the initial exchange of gunfire, Detective Tanner Morton deployed an interior drone in an effort to locate Besser without requiring officers to immediately enter the apartment.
According to prosecutors, Besser shot and disabled the drone. Another exchange of gunfire followed before she eventually surrendered.
Investigators recovered nine spent cartridge casings from inside the apartment and two loaded semiautomatic handguns.
The Sheriff’s Office BearCat sustained nine bullet strikes. Five rounds struck the vehicle’s ram plate, while four struck the vehicle on or just above its front window, immediately below the position of a deputy.
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said the incident demonstrates the role tactical equipment can play in protecting law enforcement officers.
“The BearCat and the use of drones do not eliminate the danger,” Welch said. “Nothing can make an armed confrontation safe. What this equipment does is give law enforcement more options and reduce the amount of time officers have to unnecessarily expose themselves to gunfire.”
Welch also praised the deputies, officers, dispatchers, negotiators and tactical personnel who responded to the incident.
He said officers evacuated nearby residents, protected area schools, attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender and used technology and less-lethal options before Besser ultimately surrendered.
Besser will be sentenced at a later date.
Last Updated on September 25, 2026 by AVC News
