New evidence has emerged in deadly Asheville shooting investigation

Asheville police say investigators executed more than 25 search warrants and subpoenas this week as they continue searching for whoever killed two people and injured seven others in a shooting on Biltmore Avenue in July. As the investigation heads into another weekend with no arrests, Interim Asheville Police Chief Jackie Stepp said a potentially crucial piece of evidence is now being analyzed by the FBI. "Detectives have executed over 25 search warrants and subpoenas this week, collecting valuable digital evidence. We believe that one piece of evidence will provide crucial information to this investigation, and that piece of evidence is currently being analyzed by our partners at the FBI," Stepp said. Police have not disclosed exactly what that piece of evidence is, citing the ongoing investigation. Stepp said digital evidence collected by investigators can include information from phones, laptops and cameras. She said analyzing evidence already collected can also lead investigators to seek additional search warrants. "Part of being able to further analyze that evidence that's collected requires additional search warrants to go further into that. Unfortunately, I can't disclose anymore on who or what the search warrant is at this point," Stepp said. Investigators also conducted numerous interviews this week as they continue gathering information about the shooting. "Detectives also conducted numerous interviews this week, and we'd like to extend our gratitude to those community members who continue to come forward and bring information," Stepp said. Last Friday, Asheville police said investigators had seized the vehicle they believe was involved in the shooting and identified several suspects and co-conspirators. Stepp said local, state and federal agencies have been involved in the investigation from the beginning. "That core group of local, state, federal is already in place, and any time we have a large incident, particularly around gun violence or something like that, we all come together and immediately start the investigation," she said. On July 28, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation said it had withdrawn its previously offered $5,000 reward for information related to the deadly shooting along Biltmore Avenue. The organization cited a lack of communication from city officials regarding the offer. But the Asheville Police Department says it was due to miscommunication. "When we heard of that report, city staff immediately tried to investigate the communication breakdown, and it turns out that that was blocked by spam filters, but leadership at the Asheville Police Department are currently engaged with that organization to determine next steps," Stepp said. The organization also released a statement saying APD clarified and resolved a recent communication issue involving the foundation's outreach and reward offer. Despite the progress investigators say they have made, no arrests have been announced as the case enters another weekend. Stepp again urged anyone who may know who was responsible for the shooting to contact police. "There are people in this community who know who committed this heinous act, and we just need people to come forward," Stepp said. https://wlos.com/news/local/police-ne... #news #asheville #investigation _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook:   / news13   WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram:   / wlos_13   Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Cha... For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit www.wlos.com Stream our newscasts LIVE: www.wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 -- WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954. This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at [email protected]