From Staff Reports 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Two people died and seven others were injured after a shooting around 2:20 a.m. July 19 in the 250 block of Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. 

The shooting reportedly occurred in the area outside Dalton’s Distillery and the neighboring Smile Starters parking lot, where witnesses say a large number of people had gathered after local bars closed.

“According to witnesses who spoke with News 13 but asked not to be identified, they heard 25 to 30 gunshots fired within seconds,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported late on July 19. “Several witnesses said the shots appeared to come from a vehicle traveling along Biltmore Avenue.”

In the aftermath, the Asheville Police Department said it believes the shooting stemmed from a prior gun violence incident and is actively searching for the unaccounted-for suspects. 

The July 19 incident is entirely separate from the fatal officer-involved shooting that took place on July 15 outside Shakey’s bar in downtown Asheville just days prior, the APD noted.

Following are details of the incident:

• Location: The majority of the shooting took place in the parking lot of Smile Starters next to Dalton Distillery as weekend crowds were letting out.

• Casualties: Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and seven others were transported to Mission Hospital. 

Details of the investigation include the following:

• Motive: Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp stated this did not appear to be a random act, and preliminary evidence indicates a possible connection to prior gun violence.

• Suspects: No suspects are currently in custody, and police are actively working to track down those responsible.

• Crime scene: Detectives and forensic technicians have processed the large crime scene and recovered numerous shell casings. 

The APD is asking the public for any information regarding the incident, suggesting the following ways to help: 

• Call directly: Contact the APD at (828) 252-1110.

• Submit anonymous tips: Send a text to TIP2APD (847411) or use the TIP2APD smartphone app. 

Meanwhile, News 13’s “Comment Bubble” appearing after its story included the following assertions:

• johnbarleycornn— “MASA... Make Asheville Safe Again... Call in the National Guard, enforce a curfew, do something before more people are killed.”

• Snydley — “Ashevile never disappoints. LOL.”

• Calculator — “Epstein files.”

• RalphUmo — “Weren’t we told by the lunatic left that taking down the Vance Monument was forever prevent this type of violence? Can we have a representative from the left explain what that did not work and why we are still having extremely violent demographic based violence?”

• RoaringKitty — “Climate change.”

From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Buncombe County Republican Executive Committee on June 22 elected Jim Fulton as the new chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party.

He replaces Roger Kumpf, who, on July 1, “stepped down to pursue new opportunities in the Republican Parry,” a BCGOP news release stated on June 30. Kumpf served as the local party’s chairman for about 11 months.

Prior to Kumpf’s partial term at the helm, Rondell Lance served as the BCGOP chairman for two or three months, effective June 20, 2025.

Lance cited personal reasons and the heavy, unexpected responsibilities of the role. He noted in a resignation news release that the weight of the position was more than he was able to bear — and had affected his faith, family and friends.

The term of a BCGOP chairman is two years.

Meanwhile, Fulton said of his elevation to party chairman, “I am honored by the confidence the Executive Committee has placed in me,” Fulton stated in the BCGOP release. “We have important work ahead of us, and I am excited to help deliver Republican victories this November, continue building a strong organization focused on engaging voters, and supporting our candidates. 

“We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the work that remains to be done. Our goal is simple: unite Republicans, grow our grassroots efforts, and get voters to the polls this November.”

From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A grand jury on July 6 indicted Dillon James Curtis, 29, of Etowah on felony charges of attempted kidnapping and second-degree kidnapping following an alleged attack on an outdoor content creator in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in South Asheville. 

The reportedly terrifying ordeal unfolded in several stages as follows:. 

• The pursuit: On May 21, outdoor content creator Emily Sutherland of Asheville was finishing a 13-mile run in the Bent Creek area when she noticed a man following her in his vehicle. 

• The confrontation: The man, later identified as Curtis, parked his car on a trail, exited the vehicle and approached her on foot. He allegedly tried to punch Sutherland, tried to grab her phone to stop her from calling 911 and threatened to “knock me out and drag me into the woods.” 

The intervention: The assault reportedly was interrupted when two passing male mountain bikers stopped their truck and scared the suspect away, then drove Sutherland back to her car. 

The aftermath and arrest included the following details:

• Social media warning: Sutherland detailed her terrifying experience on Instagram and Reddit, helping local authorities piece together the incident. 

• Initial charges: The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office arrested Curtis on May 23, initially charging him with misdemeanor assault on a female, false imprisonment, communicating threats, and interfering with emergency communications.