An Asheville Police Department officer shot and killed a person who was actively firing a gun early Wednesday morning on North French Broad Avenue. The incident occurred outside a business at 38 N. French Broad Avenue in downtown Asheville. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has taken over the criminal investigation, which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in North Carolina.
Asheville Police officers responded at approximately 1:57 a.m. to a report of an individual discharging a firearm in the parking lot of a business. According to the Asheville Police Department, officers heard gunfire upon arrival and encountered an individual actively discharging a firearm in the parking lot. Officers then returned fire, striking the individual.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and the individual was pronounced deceased. Authorities confirmed that no officers were injured during the incident. The identity of the deceased has not been publicly released, nor have the names or the number of officers involved.
The Asheville Police Department stated that notifying the SBI is standard protocol following any officer-involved shooting. The SBI will conduct the criminal investigation into the use of force. As in previous Asheville officer-involved shootings, investigators are expected to submit their findings to the Buncombe County District Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was legally justified. The Asheville Police Department is also expected to conduct a separate administrative review to determine whether department policies were followed.
At this time, no additional information has been released regarding the deceased individual's identity or age, the number or identities of the officers involved, or whether body-camera or other video footage exists or will be released. Authorities have released only the basic incident details: officers responded to reports of a person firing a weapon, encountered an individual actively discharging a firearm, returned fire, the individual died at the scene, no officers were injured, and the SBI is leading the criminal investigation.
Asheville Police officers responded at approximately 1:57 a.m. to a report of an individual discharging a firearm in the parking lot of a business. According to the Asheville Police Department, officers heard gunfire upon arrival and encountered an individual actively discharging a firearm in the parking lot. Officers then returned fire, striking the individual.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and the individual was pronounced deceased. Authorities confirmed that no officers were injured during the incident. The identity of the deceased has not been publicly released, nor have the names or the number of officers involved.
The Asheville Police Department stated that notifying the SBI is standard protocol following any officer-involved shooting. The SBI will conduct a criminal investigation into the use of force. As in previous Asheville officer-involved shootings, investigators are expected to submit their findings to the Buncombe County District Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was legally justified. The Asheville Police Department is also expected to conduct a separate administrative review to determine whether department policies were followed.
At this time, no additional information has been released regarding the deceased individual's identity or age, the number or identities of the officers involved, or whether body-camera or other video footage exists or will be released. Authorities have released only the basic incident details: officers responded to reports of a person firing a weapon, encountered an individual actively discharging a firearm, returned fire, the individual died at the scene, no officers were injured, and the SBI is leading the criminal investigation.