Deadly West Asheville stabbing culprit caught, victim identified

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — UPDATE (Oct. 7, 2024): Raqwean Jarrel Savage, 27, was taken into custody on Oct. 4 following a deadly stabbing and another injured on Oct. 3.

The Asheville Police Department has released the name of the deceased victim following the notification of kin.

Kendall Deangelo Gilliam, 33, was stabbed fatally in the neck by Savage the morning of Oct. 3 on Short Michigan Ave. in West Asheville.

Despite the arrest, the case is still under investigation. The APD is asking anyone who may have information about the suspect or the case to come forward. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting “TIP2APD” to 847411. Tips can also be submitted through the Asheville Police Department app, TIP4APD, discoverable by searching “Asheville PD” in the App Store. The APD may also be reached by calling (828) 252-1110.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville police are searching for a man they said stabbed two people in West Asheville on Thursday morning.

Officers responded to the 200 block of Short Michigan Avenue after receiving reports of a stabbing. Officers found one man dead at the scene and another who had knife wounds to his neck, a news release from the Asheville Police Department said. The second victim was transported to Mission Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Raqwean Jarrel Savage, 27, has been charged with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

Authorities are actively searching for Savage, who is believed to be in the West Asheville area near Kentucky Avenue and State Street. He should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. If seen, do not approach him; call 911 immediately.

Savage is described as being about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. He has a tattoo on his upper right arm saying “EST 1997”, and a tattoo on his upper left arm of praying hands.

The United States Marshals Service is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Savage.

Anyone with information about Savage’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at 828-258-3200 sending an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411. People may also call Buncombe County Crimestoppers at 828-255-5050, email them at tips@abcrimestoppers.org or contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED.