Asheville Police Linked Five Shootings to Gang Activity

Authorities have identified five related shootings in Western North Carolina and charged three suspects.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Violence

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a brick building silhouette against mountains, evoking the gravity of an ongoing criminal investigation. — Asheville police have linked five separate shootings across the city to hybrid gang activity, resulting in two deaths and seven injuries. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Asheville police have connected five shootings in Western North Carolina to hybrid gang activity. Investigators identified the shootings through the individuals involved, noting that many members are under age 18.

Why it matters

Law enforcement officials aim to curb violence stemming from hybrid gangs that have plagued multiple locations, including public housing developments. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to build cases against further suspects.

Three suspects have been charged in connection to shootings at Lee Garden Lane and Atkinson Street. Police have not announced charges for all five identified incidents, and they are currently working to establish probable cause for additional arrests.

The players

Asheville Police Department

This is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violent crime and public safety within Asheville.

Lamarius Jones

He was a 22-year-old victim who died in the Biltmore Avenue shooting.

Marques Davis Jr.

He was a 24-year-old victim who died in the Biltmore Avenue shooting.

The details

The five connected incidents include shootings at Maple Crest Apartments, Hillcrest Apartments, and a Biltmore Avenue location that resulted in two deaths and seven injuries. Victims Lamarius Jones, 22, and Marques Davis Jr., 24, died in the Biltmore Avenue attack, while investigators have tied specific suspects across multiple crime scenes.

April 26: Shooting occurred on Atkinson Street.
July 5: Shooting occurred on Lee Garden Lane.
July 19: Shooting occurred on Biltmore Avenue.
Sept. 29: Police captain discussed the shootings with media.

Legal Context

This investigation mirrors the broader rise of hybrid gang activity, where fluid associations among minors challenge conventional law enforcement identification tactics. Authorities are increasingly focusing on these unstructured groups that operate outside traditional gang hierarchies.

Police have confirmed that there is no active threat to the public at this time following the identification of suspects. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, as the department continues to develop probable cause for further charges against individuals involved in these shootings.

The takeaway

The department's ability to connect seemingly disparate incidents highlights the importance of analyzing suspect patterns in investigations involving youth-led gangs. Residents should report suspicious behavior to help authorities break the cycle of violence in the area.