A 28-year-old Asheville man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Arden double homicide investigation, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office announced in an Oct. 30 news release.
The sheriff’s office said in the release that Tyquan Jahlil Ward has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection to the double homicide that was reported on Oct. 24 at 12:20 a.m. at the Pine Needle Apartments in Arden.
According to the sheriff’s office, 19-year-old Joshua Sanchez Ramirez and 27-year-old Darion Armon Smith were found deceased from gunshot wounds in a parking lot in the early-morning hours of Oct. 24.
According to warrants, in connection with Ramirez, Ward was charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. In connection with Smith, Ward was charged with first-degree murder.
The sheriff’s office said Ward was taken into custody on the night of Oct. 29. Ward was scheduled to have electronic warrants assigned on Oct. 30 at the Buncombe County Courthouse.
“We hope this is a start in bringing answers and closure for the family of the victims,” Sheriff Quentin Miller said in the release. “From the moment we responded to this call, we have had a room full of dedicated team members who put everything they have into this case. Our collaboration with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, ATF, FBI, and the Asheville Police Department was crucial, and we thank them for the resources they provided.”
The Buncombe County said the investigation is ongoing.