Police in Asheville, North Carolina, have identified a downtown shooting that killed two people and wounded seven as a direct retaliatory act. The incident occurred on July 19 near Biltmore Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue, an area known for its downtown businesses and nightlife.
According to the Asheville Police Department (APD), officers responded to the scene at about 2:20 a.m. and found multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds. Two people died at the scene despite life-saving efforts, while seven others were taken to Mission Hospital.
Detectives have recovered numerous shell casings and identified what police described as a large crime scene. The department initially suggested that the shooting may be connected to an earlier gun violence incident on July 5, but Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp later confirmed that it was "a direct retaliatory act" tied to that shooting.
Stepp declined to classify the violence as gang-related at a community briefing on July 24, stating that the groups involved were two distinct groups of individuals who knew each other and had committed ongoing retaliatory acts against one another. She also noted that police have identified several persons of interest in the case but are still working to locate and interview them.
The APD is coordinating with local, state, and federal partners as it reviews evidence and tracks upcoming events and large gatherings. The department has asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward by calling 828-252-1110 or submitting an anonymous tip through the TIP2APD app or text service.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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