ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
Asheville police have charged a second suspect in the shooting death of a man on Tunnel Road.
According to Asheville police arrest warrants, 21-year-old Laila Abdur Rahim has been charged with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy in the shooting death of 33-year-old Oji Trevon Mitchell. Buncombe County jail records show Rahim was arrested on July 2, 2024 and there is no bond amount listed.
A previous press release from the Asheville Police Department (APD) says Mitchell was killed in broad daylight on April 18. Officers responded to the 160 block of Tunnel Road around 3:13 p.m. for reports of a gunshot wound. When they arrived at the scene, they found Mitchell nearby suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to Mission Hospital where he died from his injuries.
This marked Asheville’s third homicide of the year at the time, according to police. To date, there have been five homicides within city limits.
On April 18, police arrested 24-year-old Kenneth Maurice West Jr., charging him with first-degree murder and armed robbery in the shooting. He received no bond when he was booked into the Buncombe County jail.
Regarding Rahim’s felony conspiracy charge, arrest warrants state she “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did conspire with Kenneth Maurice West Jr. and other persons unknown to commit the felony of first-degree murder…against Oji Trevon Mitchell.”
According to county officials, Rahim’s first court appearance was scheduled for July 3. 828newsNOW has reached out to the Asheville Police Department for any more information it can release on Rahim’s charges and the investigation.
In a previous news release, APD said detectives were asking anyone with information about this case to send an anonymous tip by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store). You can also contact APD at (828) 252-1110.