Asheville -- February 4, 2026: A man pleaded guilty to felony charges related to a shooting in Barnardsville, North Carolina, and faces a prison sentence. The plea agreement has legal ramifications for the defendant and potential consequences for the victim's family.
James Robert Wyerman pleaded guilty yesterday to multiple felony charges. These include two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, six counts of discharging a firearm into occupied property, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
The charges stem from an incident on February 6, 2025, when Buncombe County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on Poverty Branch Road in Barnardsville. Investigators determined that the home had been struck by gunfire multiple times. No injuries were reported. Deputies apprehended Wyerman within two hours of the shooting.
Wyerman was sentenced to 18 to 34 months in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. Following his release, he will be subject to 24 months of supervised probation.
The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office highlighted the coordinated efforts of various units in building the case. These included patrol deputies, the crime scene unit, K-9 handlers, and detectives. District 2 Captain Chris Stockton stated the investigation built a solid case for prosecution.
WNCTimes