Someone shot into an officer's occupied Asheville home; police are searching for a suspect
ASHEVILLE - Local law enforcement officers are continuing to search for a drive-by shooter they say targeted a Buncombe County Sheriff deputy's home and vehicle.
The deputy's vehicle was marked with the sheriff's office logo and sitting outside his home in a densely occupied neighborhood in the Arden area of South Asheville.
Multiple shots were fired shortly after 10 p.m. on April 6 and struck the deputy's vehicle and another vehicle in the same driveway. Bullets also struck the deputy's home and another house nearby, according to a release from the Asheville Police Department.
The deputy was in his home at the time, APD spokesperson Samantha Booth said on April 13 in response to Citizen Times questions. The other home that was struck was also occupied, she said.
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Booth said officers had learned nothing new in the last few days.
"Detectives are continuing to investigate and are seeking to ID the driver of the vehicle attached in the release yesterday," she said.
APD Patrol officers responded to Wellington Drive around 10:16 p.m. on April 6 to investigate reports of property and vehicle damage from bullet holes. They found the deputy's vehicle struck by multiple bullets and the other vehicle in the driveway struck by one bullet.
"Officers canvassed the area and located damage from one bullet hole to the exterior of the deputy's home. A residence directly behind received damage from four bullet holes to the outside of the home," APD said in its initial release.
Booth did not respond to a message asking what type of gun was used.
Following an extensive investigation, officers said they determined the shooter was intentionally targeting the deputy's vehicle and home.
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A nearby surveillance camera captured a dark-colored Hyundai Elantra that is believed to be involved.
APD and the Sheriff's Office are conducting a joint investigation and are asking for help identifying the alleged shooter.
APD can be contacted by calling 828-252-1110 or giving information anonymously by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone app. The sheriff's office can also be contacted by calling 828-250-6670.
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Someone shot into an officer's occupied Asheville home; suspect sought
