Trial set for alleged Trotwood shooter

Man allegedly fired at police after calling 911.

The trial for alleged Trotwood “active shooter” William D. Gibson has been tentatively scheduled for March 5.

Gibson, 42, faces 10 counts of felonious assault on peace officers and 11 other counts for allegedly firing at police after calling 911 on Oct. 13, 2017 to say his wife accidentally shot herself.

Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Dennis Adkins scheduled the trial date during his Wednesday docket. Attorneys indicated the date could be continued due to plea negotiations.

Adkins ruled during a Jan. 11 hearing that unrecorded statements Gibson allegedly made in the back of a cruiser would be allowed at trial.

Gibson was transported to Montgomery County Jail after a standoff with police after his 911 call in which he said his wife accidentally shot herself in the leg. Gibson had not been given Miranda warnings when he was placed in a Trotwood cruiser.

That’s when Gibson allegedly said, “‘I probably shouldn’t have shot my wife, should I?” according to Trotwood police officer Bethany Morrissette, who testified during the Jan. 11 suppression hearing.

“After that, I said, ‘No, you probably shouldn’t have,’ “Morrissette added. “And I believe I said, ‘You probably shouldn’t have shot at us, either.’ “

Morrissette told assistant Montgomery County prosecutor Meagan Woodall that there is no recording of Gibson’s or her comments after the incident that drew several law enforcement agencies and multiple SWAT teams to Wolf Creek Pike for 2½ hours.

On cross examination, Morrissette told public defender Michael Pentecost that Gibson also said: “I just want to go see a judge tomorrow and plead guilty. I don’t want to spend any time in Montgomery County ( Jail), I hate Montgomery County. I know I’m going to prison for a long time.”