Asheville shooting: Police warn against false claims, loved ones ask for prayers

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville police are warning the public not to rely on unverified information circulating online as detectives continue investigating a weekend shooting that killed two people and injured seven others.

The Asheville Police Department said Tuesday it is aware of a flyer shared on social media that identifies a person as a possible suspect or person of interest in the shooting near Biltmore Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue early Sunday morning.

Police said the information on the flyer has not been confirmed.

“At this time, APD has not publicly identified a person of interest in the investigation,” the department said in a statement posted to social media. “The public is encouraged to verify information from APD’s official social media platforms.”

Detectives continue to review evidence and follow leads in the case, but police said they are not releasing additional details that could compromise the investigation.

“At this time, there are no further updates,” APD said.

Police also have not released the names of the two people killed.

“We are withholding the victims’ identities in this case because releasing them would threaten the personal safety of additional victims and may compromise the ongoing criminal investigation,” APD said. “Once these threats are mitigated, we will release that information.”

Friends and loved ones turn to social media for support

As investigators continue working to identify suspects and victims, friends and loved ones have turned to social media to ask for prayers and support following the shooting.

Several posts shared online described people who said they were personally affected by the violence, including loved ones who they said were injured or killed. APD has not confirmed the identities of the victims or details shared in those posts.

One woman wrote that her nephew’s girlfriend was involved in the shooting and asked the community to pray for her. Another person posted about the loss of a family member and expressed grief following the violence.

Other residents described hearing what sounded like a series of gunshots early Sunday morning before seeing emergency crews responding near the South Slope area and Biltmore Avenue.

APD has urged residents to rely on official updates as the investigation continues.

The shooting happened around 2:20 a.m. Sunday in the 250 block of Biltmore Avenue. Investigators said two people were killed and seven others were injured.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson said Sunday he spoke with interim Asheville Police Chief Jackie Stepp and offered assistance from the State Crime Lab.

“Going toward that scene in the dark, not knowing whether the shooter was still there, and then working to keep the wounded alive is what we ask of our first responders,” Jackson said in a statement. “They do it in every corner of our state, every night, and we remain genuinely grateful.”

City officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged residents to rely on verified information.

“As a community, we must never become numb to senseless violence and continue to partner with the community and seek solutions to minimize violence,” Mayor Esther Manheimer and City Manager Debra Campbell said in a joint statement. “Our community’s safety is a top priority and we remain focused on ensuring that everyone in Asheville feels safe.”

Councilmember Kim Roney said the shooting adds to a growing list of violent incidents that have affected the community.

“My heart hurts for our city,” Roney said in a statement. “A shooting on Saturday night has taken two lives, injured seven, and added to a growing list of neighbors grieving the loss of loved ones to gun violence.”

Roney called for continued investment in violence prevention programs and community support.

“This pain is preventable,” she said. “It’s going to take all of us coming together to secure meaningful change, healing, and community investment proven to interrupt cycles of trauma and prevent gun violence.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact APD at (828) 252-1110.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through the TIP2APD smartphone application or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.