ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man was arrested late Tuesday after police said he fired multiple shots in downtown Asheville. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Asheville police said officers responded around 10:27 p.m. to the 90 block of Broadway Street after receiving reports of gunfire. When they arrived, officers found a Glock 44 handgun lying in an alley and a man nearby.
The man, identified as William Blake Keffer, 34, was taken into custody without incident, police said. Officers also recovered 11 shell casings in the area.
Investigators said a passerby saw Keffer fall from a retaining wall in the alley and tried to check on him. Keffer then pulled out a gun, fired several rounds into the air and then fired in the direction of the passerby, who fled and called 911, according to police.
Keffer faces several misdemeanor charges, including second-degree trespassing, assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm within city limits, going armed to the terror of the public, carrying a concealed gun and assault by pointing a gun. He was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $20,000 secured bond.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident or other illegal gun activity to call 828-252-1110 or submit an anonymous tip through the TIP2APD app or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.