Homicide suspect in custody

Press release from the Asheville Police Department:

APD News UPDATE III – Homicide Suspect in Custody!

Asheville, NC (July 18, 2022):   The suspect wanted by the Asheville Police Department for murder and attempted murder in Friday night’s shootings is now in law enforcement custody.

Menelik Tefari Nesanet (4/19/2002) was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals – Carolina’s Regional Fugitive Task Force in Charlotte around noon today.  He was transported to the Asheville Police Department, who then served his warrants upon booking at the Buncombe County Detention Facility Monday afternoon.  His bond is pending.

This case remains an active investigation by APD Detectives.  Contact APD anonymously by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store).  You can also contact APD at (828) 252-1110.

Asheville, NC (July 17, 2022):   Asheville Police Department Detectives are releasing the names of the shooting victims from Friday night in which one person died and another is currently in the hospital, following next of kin notifications.

Brittney Jakeline Gamez-Farjat, 10/10/2001, of Hendersonville, NC, passed away late Friday after being transported to Mission Hospital.

Donald Wayne Harrison, 4/03/1992, of Spartanburg, SC, is currently in stable condition at Mission Hospital.

The search for their shooter, Menelik Tefari Nesanet (4/19/2002) continues.  He is wanted for First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill or Inflict Serious Injury.

APD Detectives are asking anyone who may have any information about his whereabouts or more about this case to send an anonymous tip by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store).  You can also contact APD at (828) 252-1110.

Asheville, NC (July 16, 2022):   Following an intense overnight investigation into the shooting death of one person and critical injury to another, Asheville Police Department Detectives now have active arrest warrants for the shooter.

Menelik Tefari Nesanet (4/19/2002) is wanted for First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill or Inflict Serious Injury for the late Friday night deadly shooting at 165 S. French Broad St. in which a female died and a male is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Nesanet stands 5’ 1”, weighs about 110 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes and wears large black rim glasses.  He is considered armed and dangerous.

Additionally, he has 11 felony warrants on various charges, including firearm violations, out of Virginia.  He is not native to Asheville.

APD’s Criminal Investigations Division Detectives, Forensic Technicians, and Patrol Officers worked through the night and into Saturday to investigate and identify the shooter.

Detectives are asking if you have any information about his whereabouts, you can send an anonymous tip by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store).  You can also contact APD at (828) 252-1110.

Information on the identity of the two shooting victims is being withheld until Detectives complete next of kin notifications.

This is the tenth homicide in Asheville for 2022.

Asheville, NC (July 15, 2022):  Asheville Police Department Detectives are actively investigating a shooting Friday night in which one victim died at the hospital and a second victim has life-threatening injuries.

APD Patrol Officers responded to the 100 block of S. French Broad Ave. around 9:30 pm. Friday night in response to reports of gunshot injuries.

The officers found two victims – male and female – at two separate crime locations in close proximity, and both were transported to Mission Hospital with gunshot wounds considered life-threatening. The female succumbed to her injuries around 11 tonight.

Criminal Investigations Division Detectives responded to the scene and are currently investigating the shootings.  There are no arrests in this case.

Detectives are asking if anyone has any information about this case to send an anonymous tip by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store).  You can also contact APD at (828) 252-1110.

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