Early in the morning of Friday, December 19, 2025, violence erupted inside Big Woody’s Sports Bar and Restaurant on the East Side of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Around 1:30 a.m., what began as a physical altercation between patrons at the establishment on Hanover Avenue escalated into a shooting. First responders arrived to find a chaotic scene with three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Among the victims was 34-year-old male David Jeremy Gibbs, a local resident and musician known to many in the community. Police and emergency medical personnel rendered aid at the scene before transporting the victims to area hospitals. Despite efforts to save him, Gibbs was pronounced dead at 2:40 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg.
David Gibbs, who performed under the stage name "David True," was a well-known figure in the Lehigh Valley hip-hop scene and a devoted father to three young daughters. His death sent a wave of grief through his circle of friends and family, compounding a difficult period for his loved ones, as he had only recently lost his mother in January 2024. Friends described him as a connecting force in the community who had spent the hours before the shooting engaging with fans and friends on social media. Beyond his music, he was remembered for his athletic background in football and basketball during his time at William Allen High School and his adventurous spirit.
The investigation into the homicide was immediately launched by the Allentown Police Department in conjunction with the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office. Following the incident, the Lehigh County Coroner ruled the manner of death a homicide caused by gunshot injuries. While authorities confirmed that a fight had precipitated the gunfire, they did not immediately release specific details regarding a suspect or announce an arrest in the days following the event. However, police officials stated that they believed there was no ongoing danger to the general public, suggesting the violence was an isolated incident stemming from the dispute. The other two victims injured in the shooting were expected to survive.
