Asheville Police Linked Biltmore Avenue Shooting to Five Crimes

Investigators connected the deadly July 2026 shooting at Dalton's Distillery to a series of violent incidents in the region.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Violence

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Investigators in Asheville have linked the July 2026 deadly shooting outside Dalton's Distillery to five additional violent incidents across Western North Carolina. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

On July 19, 2026, a shooting outside Dalton's Distillery on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville resulted in two deaths and seven injuries. Authorities have linked this incident to five other shootings throughout Western North Carolina.

Why it matters

Linking multiple violent incidents allows investigators to build stronger cases and address patterns of criminal activity across several local jurisdictions.

Police confirmed that charges have been filed in several of the six linked shootings across three mountain jurisdictions, with more expected. The investigation into the incident that left Lamarius Jones and Marques Davis Jr. dead remains ongoing.

The players

Asheville Police Department

This local law enforcement agency is responsible for investigating the violent crimes and public safety incidents within the city limits of Asheville.

The details

The July 19, 2026, shooting occurred outside Dalton's Distillery, leaving 22-year-old Lamarius Jones and 24-year-old Marques Davis Jr. dead while injuring seven others. Investigators connected this violence to five other shootings in Western North Carolina, including a nearby incident that injured one person exactly one week prior.

Timeline

  1. July 12, 2026: A separate shooting occurred nearby that injured one individual.

  2. July 19, 2026: The deadly shooting incident took place on Biltmore Avenue.

Legal Context

The investigation follows a pattern established by the 2026 Western North Carolina multi-jurisdictional shooting investigation, as police synthesize separate reports into a singular regional crime narrative. This cross-jurisdictional approach reflects growing efforts to combat serial violence through coordinated regional policing.

The identification of a multi-jurisdictional crime pattern may lead to increased police presence and heightened security measures in the affected areas. Residents are encouraged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to local authorities as legal proceedings continue.

The takeaway

Recognizing connections between geographically dispersed crimes is vital for maintaining public safety in the region. Staying informed about local security updates can help residents contribute to safer neighborhoods as investigations progress.

Further reading

For more information on public safety, visit Violence.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WLOS.