ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Multiple reports of heavy law enforcement activity Monday afternoon drew attention across Asheville as residents took to social media describing a chaotic scene involving an apparent vehicle chase, roadblocks and an armored vehicle.
According to several eyewitness accounts shared on Facebook, a car was stopped on Patton Avenue with officers allegedly drawing their weapons and blocking the road.
“A car was crashed between two troopers. Guess it was a chase,” wrote one user.
Others reported seeing a black armored vehicle with gun ports and a convoy of police vehicles speeding past a city bus near the Sam’s Club intersection, heading down Leicester Highway.
“I saw five cop cars surrounding a city bus and an armored vehicle — all black with gun slots –speed past me and go down Leicester Highway,” another wrote.
Later reports placed a dozen or more sheriff’s office vehicles and the armored vehicle on Hookers Gap Road. “Everyone [was] standing around,” said another resident, describing the scene.
As of Monday evening, law enforcement agencies had not released an official statement regarding the incident. It remains unclear what prompted the pursuit or the deployment of tactical units.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.