Asheville man killed with rifle after threatening police and citizens; investigation ongoing

ASHEVILLE, NC (WLOS) — A man who pointed a gun at police officers and nearby residents is dead following a police-involved shooting, according to Asheville police.

News 13 originally reported that Asheville police responded to an area in North Asheville on Tuesday, August 27, looking for a barricaded person. Police concentrated around the intersection of Chatham Road and Laurel Avenue.

According to APD, several people called 911 around 5 p.m. to report a man pointing a gun at them. The same man also attacked a city of Asheville contract worker with a shovel, according to APD.

Shortly thereafter, police officers arrived and ordered the man to drop his weapon. The man refused and pointed his rifle at the officers, resulting in a shootout involving the officers.

“He pointed a rifle at the officers and they ordered him to drop the rifle. When he did not, the officers responded by firing several shots at him,” said APD Police Chief Mike Lamb.

The man then entered his home on Chatham Road and barricaded himself in. He was later found dead.

No Asheville police officers were injured in this incident. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrived around 8:30 p.m. to begin investigating the shooting.

The public is asked to avoid the area of ​​Merrimon Avenue and Chatham Road while the investigation continues.