ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department and Asheville Parks and Recreation have both released a statement about a shooting outside of the Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center on Monday evening.
According to an APD release, officers arrived around 5:17 p.m. on Monday, July 21 to the Shiloh Center to a report of gunshot wounds at the scene.
When the officers arrived, they administered medical aid to two victims with multiple gunshot wounds until EMS arrived, transporting the wounded to Mission Hospital.
Canvassing the area, officers recovered 43 shell casings in the road. Initial findings indicate that a white Hyundai four-door sedan carrying three men was driving east on Shiloh Road before coming to a stop in front of the Shiloh Center basketball court. One man exited the vehicle to fire his weapon while the other two remained inside the car to shoot theirs. All three left the scene in the Hyundai heading east.
“This is the second incident involving guns at a neighborhood gathering spot in the past month,” stated APD Public Information Officer Rick Rice in the APD release. “Detectives are asking the community for support to help keep all Asheville residents safe, as families are outdoors this summer trying to enjoy our open spaces.”
In an email from APR, Kim Miller, city communication specialist, clarified that no Shiloh Center summer camp staff or campers were harmed in nor in direct danger during the incident.
“APR staff acted swiftly and appropriately by following established safety protocols, ensuring the protection of all participants,” Miller wrote. “Campers were kept safely inside the Crump Shiloh Center building while authorities responded to the scene. The safety and well-being of campers and community center users remains the absolute highest priority.”
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Shiloh Center will operate on a modified schedule from 8:30am–6pm for summer camp activities from July 22–25, while staying closed to the general public and cancelling all other programming.
“There will also be an increased police presence in the area for the immediate future to support the safety and well-being of all park visitors,” Miller assured in the release.
APD detectives ask that anyone with information about this incident contact APD at (828) 252-1110, by anonymous tip using the TIP2APD app, or by texting “TIP2APD” to 847411.