ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A national nonprofit focused on violence prevention has increased the reward it is offering for information in the investigation into last weekend’s deadly mass shooting on Biltmore Avenue.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, announced Friday that it is increasing its reward to up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or people responsible for the July 19 shooting in Asheville.
The foundation said the increased reward is intended to encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and assist investigators.
“Following the devastating violence experienced by the Asheville community, we want to do our part to support the pursuit of justice,” Daniel Chapin, the foundation’s founder and national director, said in a statement. “This reward is intended to encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and assist investigators in holding those responsible accountable.”
Asheville police continue to investigate the shooting, which happened shortly after businesses closed in the 250 block of Biltmore Avenue. Two people were killed and several others were injured. Detectives have recovered a firearm and multiple shell casings, but no arrests have been announced.
The foundation urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact Asheville police or other law enforcement investigators.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation was established after the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The organization says it works nationwide on violence prevention, youth safety, victim advocacy and support for communities affected by violence.