ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

A man was arrested on weapons and drug charges Tuesday, as Asheville police were investigating a spate of recent gunfire-related incidents in a South Asheville neighborhood, police said.

Since late May, the Asheville Police Department has reported a number of gunfire-related incidents in South Asheville, including four in the Shiloh neighborhood and one on June 15 that left two people injured with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

According to a press release, about 5:44 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, while police officers were doing “targeted enforcement” in response to the recent shootings, they attempted to make contact with Jermaine DeAndre Patton, 29, on Crest Avenue.

“Instead, Patton attempted to evade police but was located in the nearby area and taken into custody,” the release states. Police said that during the arrest, Patton was found to be in possession of three firearms and drugs.

According to the release, Patton has been charged with:

  • Three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon
  • Possession of a stolen firearm
  • Felonious carrying a concealed gun
  • Possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II drug
  • Maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia

He was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $200,000 secured bond (or $20,000 to a bondsman).

According to the news release, police seized:

  • Smith & Wesson M&P .40 pistol x2
  • Taurus PT111 pistol
  • 6.9g of crack cocaine

“The arrest was a result of an intentional, increased presence requested by community members due to the recent shootings in that neighborhood,” Asheville Police spokesperson Rick Rice said.

Police asked anyone with information about gun or drug activity to contact the Asheville Police Department at 828-252-1110. People also can send anonymous tips by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or can use the TIP2APD smartphone app.

In the Shiloh area, the uptick in gunfire-related incidents includes:

  • About 11:39 p.m. on May 23, an occupied residence in the 950 block of W. Chapel Road was struck by gunfire and 23 shell casings from different caliber guns were found.
  • About 12:43 a.m. on May 25, two homes and two vehicles in the 300 block of Brooklyn Road were struck by gunfire and 46 shell casings were found.
  • Around 11:05 p.m. Saturday, June 15, police responded to a report of a gun being discharged in the 100 block of Shiloh Road and two people later were treated at Mission Hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Police say 59 casings were found.
  • Around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, police responded to reports of gunfire near Robinson and Crest avenues. They found 5 shell casings and while on scene heard several more gunshots but did not find any suspects or victims.

Since late May, there also have been several gunfire-related incidents reported in a neighborhood near the River Arts District to the north, including:

  • About 1:04 a.m. on May 26, the occupied residence on Hibernia Street was struck and 17 shell casings were found.
  • Around 1:24 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, two homes were struck near the intersection of Livingston Street and Hibernia Street and two casings were found.
  • Around 7:58 p.m. on Monday, June 24, one person was killed, two others sustained gunshot wounds and another person had blunt force trauma, in an incident at an apartment complex on Livingston Street. One person has been charged in the case, which remains under investigation.

Since Jan. 1, 2024, Asheville police have responded to 211 calls for service from people reporting gunfire or someone being shot, and 20 people have been shot this year in the city.