Press release from Asheville Police Department:
UPDATE (Dec. 11): Mejia has been taken into custody.
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UPDATE (Dec. 8): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have continued to investigate the shooting incident that occurred on Virginia Avenue on July 28, including working with the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory to analyze evidence seized by APD. These efforts have resulted in the identification of Jonathan Andrew Mejia, 21, of Asheville, as the offender.
Mejia has been charged with the following offenses:
- Discharging a firearm into occupied dwelling
- Discharging a firearm within city limits
- Possession of a stolen firearm
The APD is seeking the assistance of the public to locate Mejia. We ask the public to exercise caution if he is encountered as he is known to be armed.If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Jonathan Andrew Mejia they are encouraged to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. If you wish to submit an anonymous tip use the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or by texting 847411 and using keyword TIP2APD and then your information.—-At approximately 12:45 a.m. on July 28 the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to Virginia Avenue in West Asheville regarding shots being fired into a residence. Officers arrived to find that a total of 18 rounds had been fired from a vehicle in the street into the home. One resident was inside during the incident and was fortunately able to avoid injury.
An initial investigation and canvass revealed that the suspects were driving a small passenger car that left traveling south on Virginia Avenue in a reckless manner immediately following the shots being fired.
Detectives are working to determine if this incident is related to a gunfire incident that occurred on July 25 near the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Maple Street. In that case, the driver of a white Acura TL sedan was seen discharging a handgun while in the street. No injuries or property damage was reported to the APD in that incident.
If anyone has information that could assist in the investigation or lead to the identification of the suspects in these matters, they are encouraged to call 828-252-1110.
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