It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of David J. Gibbs, 34, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who was fatally shot inside Big Woody’s Sports Bar and Restaurant on Hanover Avenue during the early morning hours of December 19, 2025. The sudden violence, which began as a fight that escalated into gunfire around 1:30 a.m., has left family, friends, and the East Side community reeling as they mourn a life taken too soon.
Allentown Police Department officers responded quickly to reports of the shooting at 1302 Hanover Avenue and found Gibbs and two other victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency personnel transported the injured to nearby hospitals; Gibbs succumbed to his injuries at 2:40 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital‑Muhlenberg. The Lehigh County Coroner has ruled his death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds, and an autopsy is scheduled as investigators continue their work.
Investigators say three people were wounded in the incident and that the altercation appears to have begun as a verbal dispute that turned physical before gunfire erupted in the crowded bar. The other two victims were treated for injuries and are expected to survive. The episode has prompted renewed concern about safety in nightlife venues and the need for effective conflict‑deescalation measures in public spaces.
Known in local hip‑hop circles as David True, Gibbs pursued his passion for music with dedication, sharing his creative voice with friends and fans across the Lehigh Valley. His involvement in the regional rap scene reflected a vibrant personality and a commitment to artistic expression that resonated with those who knew him. Beyond music, he was a devoted father whose love and support were central to his life and to the bonds he formed with family and friends.
The Allentown Police Department, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, the Homicide Task Force, and the Coroner’s Office are collaborating on a thorough investigation, canvassing for witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to establish the full sequence of events and identify those responsible. No arrests have been announced; authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the inquiry.
David J. Gibbs will be remembered for his warmth, his creative spirit, and the care he showed to those closest to him. As the community gathers to grieve and to support his family, friends recall the small, meaningful ways he brightened everyday life—through music, laughter, and the steady presence of a devoted father. In this time of remembrance, his memory endures in the lives he touched and the community he helped shape.