APD Investigates gunshot incident in River District ***UPDATED 4:25 p.m.***

The Asheville Police Department continues to investigate the report of a shooting earlier today in the River District. Now the APD is reporting that, while a gun was involved, no shots were fired, and the victim was instead injured in a fall.

After receiving a call about a “gunshot victim,” according to an announcement from the APD, officers and EMS arrived to find Carzett Lemon “in the interior of the gated area at the old Dave Steele plant.” Lennon claimed he’d ran from a man “who had tried to rob and shoot him” at Bartlett Arms apartments. However, he was not shot, but had severely fractured his arm trying to jump the fence into the old plant.

“While on scene a person of interest was developed who voluntarily returned to Roberts St. and provided a statement to detectives at APD Headquarters explaining his involvement,” the APD’s statement reads. “After providing detectives with a statement in this matter, this individual took detectives to the location in West Asheville where he had hidden the semi-automatic handgun used in this incident.”

However, that unnamed individual doesn’t face charges yet, and was released “due to the complexities of the case,” pending a decision on possible charges from the District Attorney’s office.

Earlier today, APD spokesperson Lt. Wally Welch originally noted that it appeared the victim was shot in the stomach, possibly after trying to rob the shooter.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

12 thoughts on “APD Investigates gunshot incident in River District ***UPDATED 4:25 p.m.***

  1. heather

    There is a gray car up on the side of the road and the cops are collecting evidence from it, there are also some detectives in the empty lot where dave steel was.

  2. dpewen

    I sure hope this is not an incident of a gun toting citizen playing the part of a cop … if so, charge the guy with attempted murder!
    Guns, guns, guns … who needs em??

  3. dave

    I sure hope this is an incident of a gun toting citizen playing the part of a defending him/herself from a criminal. They can be useful like that.

  4. The Trolls Troll

    I think it’s adorable that Mountain Xpress is trying to cover breaking news.

  5. boatrocker

    Artsy River Arts District hipsters with guns? What happened to simple razor blades for cutting oneself for the irony? Asheville news suddenly got interesting. Will there be a subsequent indie documentary film about this at the next Asheville Film Festiville filmed in the River Arts District?

  6. dpewen

    I am one of the “hipsters” who goes to RAD quite often … 60 and retired dude … what the heck is a hipster? I do not own a gun nor will I ever.

  7. Betty Cloer Wallace

    “I am one of the “hipsters” who goes to RAD quite often … 60 and retired dude … what the heck is a hipster? I do not own a gun nor will I ever.

    Not to worry, dpewen. You are not a hipster.

    Perhaps you’re more of an ageless gadfly, though, which is altogether not a bad thing, unless it gets boring, or the retirement money runs out, or you get out your blade and cut someone down in the RAD who accuses you of being a hipster.

    “Avoid irritation,” said Marlowe in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Good advice, that.

  8. dpewen

    The money will not run out … unless an ounce of pot becomes $2,500 and the OP, Grey Eagle, and other music venues charge $500/show!
    I do like indie bands though!

  9. boatrocker

    Sigh. What happened to the idea of a sense of humor?

    Oh god no, please don’t encourage any clubs to charge that much for a show! As for the other thing, well, there’s always bartering.

  10. Dionysis

    “The money will not run out … unless an ounce of pot becomes $2,500 and the OP, Grey Eagle, and other music venues charge $500/show!
    I do like indie bands though”

    I think I have a new role model. Way to go, dpewen!

  11. dpewen

    I have a good sense of humor but it is hard to tell the underlying tone of posts …

  12. boatrocker

    Merely adjust the tone control on your “take online forums too seriously” to the left and take everything with a grain of NaCl (chemistry).

Leave a Reply to Betty Cloer Wallace ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.