Black Mountain Motel Standoff Ends, Suspect Shoots Himself

Black Mountain  -- October 10, 2023: On Monday, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Black Mountain police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a suspect sought on six felony warrants out of Buncombe County for Second-Degree Exploitation of a Minor.

The suspect refused to halt and led officers on a pursuit from Black Mountain to Old Fort and back to Black Mountain, where he crashed into the Apple Blossom Motel.

The armed suspect then fled on foot and barricaded himself in his hotel room. Seven hours were spent by the Black Mountain Police Department, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Special Response Team attempting to convince the suspect to leave the room. Officers entered the room where the suspect's self-inflicted gunshot wound was discovered. 

Any questions regarding the Sexual Exploitation charges should be referred to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.

WNCTimes