Police in Asheville, North Carolina, have reported a shooting in the downtown area, resulting in two deaths and injuries to seven others. The incident is considered a direct retaliatory act, though officials have refrained from labeling it as gang-related.
The gunfire broke out early on July 19 near Biltmore Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue, a lively area in downtown. Officers from the Asheville Police Department (APD) arrived at around 2:20 a.m., finding multiple individuals with gunshot injuries.
Despite life-saving efforts, two people died at the scene, and seven others were transported to Mission Hospital. Investigators recovered numerous shell casings, indicating a large crime scene.
The department initially linked the shooting to a previous incident of gun violence. Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp later confirmed that it was a retaliatory act tied to a shooting at an apartment complex on July 5.
“These events represent a continuous pattern of retaliatory violence,” Chief Stepp stated.
In the earlier July 5 incident, one individual was shot, and an arrest was made. During a community briefing on July 24, Stepp explained that the violence involved two groups of people who had ongoing disputes. However, she did not classify the incident as gang-related.
The police have identified several persons of interest in the case but are still working to locate and interview them. The investigation is active, so further details about the targets or connections between the shootings were not disclosed.
Cooperation with local, state, and federal partners is underway as the Asheville Police Department reviews evidence and prepares for upcoming events.
Stepp acknowledged the presence of gang activity in the city but maintained the recent occurrences were not “traditional gang activity.”
Meanwhile, a local pastor, serving as a gang-prevention facilitator, raised questions about the city’s efforts in curbing gang violence, suggesting a prevention program he had offered since 2016.
Mayor Esther Manheimer expressed interest in learning more about the pastor’s program. She highlighted Buncombe County’s ongoing community safety initiatives and partnerships aimed at preventing violence.
Manheimer also noted that relaxed gun laws present challenges in addressing violence, placing more responsibility on businesses to prevent firearms from entering establishments.
The police confirmed finding a Glock switch, a piece of equipment used to modify firearms, during their investigation. They did not specify where this piece of evidence originated.
APD urges anyone with information about the shooting to call 828-252-1110. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the TIP2APD app or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.
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