Asheville -- June 8, 2026: Press Release: Asheville Police Department Asheville Police Department officers responded to the Westmont Commons apartment complex on Chamberlain Drive around 6:17 p.m on June 7th for several reports of a man wielding a knife.
Upon arrival, officers located the suspect on a third-floor balcony. The suspect threw a chair and other items off the balcony. The suspect then came down the stairs, where officers immediately saw he was in possession of a knife. Officers gave verbal commands to drop the knife. Once at the bottom of the stairs, he sprinted toward the officers, wielding the knife. Officers opened fire, striking the suspect.
Officers rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. The suspect was transported to Mission Hospital, where he is listed in critical but stable condition.
No officers were injured during the incident.
Per the Asheville Police Department’s protocol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was contacted and will conduct the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. No additional information is available at this time.