Asheville man found guilty of 2021 murder under Jeff Bowen Bridge; up to 45-year sentence
ASHEVILLE - Two people were shot in the chest under the Jeff Bowen Bridge in the River Arts District on June 13, 2021, leaving one — a Statesville father — dead in the parking lot. More than two years later, a Buncombe County jury found an Asheville man guilty of pulling the trigger.
After a two-week trial in Buncombe County Superior Court, Tyrell Devon Warren, 32, was convicted Aug. 1 of second-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and related charges, according to an announcement from District Attorney Todd William's Office.
Asheville Police Department officers responded to a call for shots fired under the Jeff Bowen Bridge early in the morning of June 13, 2021. When officers arrived, they found Brian Keith Wilson, 34, and a second victim suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest, according to the announcement.
The second victim was taken to Mission Hospital and survived. Wilson, a father of two from Statesville, died at the scene.
Previous reporting: Man arrested, held without bond in River Arts District killing
Wilson's obituary said he "had a great personality, enjoyed life and shared his beautiful smile with his family." The Citizen Times reached out to his family Aug. 6.
After further investigation, APD determined a fight occurred two hours before the shooting near 19 North Ann St., the address of A-Hope Day Center, a day shelter in downtown Asheville. Warren and the two victims had been visiting someone there, according to the news release.
Law enforcement say Warren left the fight and retrieved a .22 caliber revolver. He then found the victims and the person they were visiting in the parking lot under Jeff Bowen Bridge, which connects West Asheville with downtown and is dedicated to an Asheville Fire Department captain who died while fighting a 2011 blaze.
As Wilson and the second victim were getting into a stolen Subaru, an argument ensued and Warren shot, hitting both victims in the chest, the release said.
Warren then fled on foot and committed a series of car thefts and robberies in downtown and West Asheville. He was eventually caught seven days later by law enforcement in Monroe.
After the jury's decision Aug. 1, visiting Superior Court Judge Craig Croom, of Wake County, sentenced Warren to serve 336 to 416 months, or up to almost 35 years, in prison. That sentence will be followed by a consecutive sentence of 89 to 119 months, or up to an additional 10 years, for armed robbery.
More: Asheville firefighter's death in the line of duty 10 years ago changed the department
More: Asheville Police seek 'armed and dangerous' man charged with murder in RAD shooting death
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville man found guilty of 2021 murder under Jeff Bowen Bridge
