Gun violence declined in Asheville this summer: police data
By Kimberly King
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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The number of people injured or killed in gun incidents in Asheville declined this summer compared with the same period last year.
From June 1 through Aug. 31, Asheville Police Department (APD) data show 16 victims were injured or killed in shooting incidents in 2026, compared to 22 victims during the same summertime months in 2025.
The number of specific shooting incidents resulting in death or injury also fell from 13 incidents in 2025 to eight incidents this summer. In July, APD recorded 46 reports of shots fired, down from 53 in July 2025, according to online data published by APD.
This decline comes as communities across the country continue to see a broader downward trend in gun violence, per national reporting and data.
Summer is often a time when cities, including Asheville, see shootings increase. While Asheville experienced the deadly Biltmore Avenue shooting in July, overall gun violence numbers were down this summer. The July 19 tragedy remains a stark exception, in which two men were killed and seven others were injured.
Police training expert Dean Crisp, who founded the police leadership and training consulting group Leaders Helping Leaders, says one factor that could be contributing to lower figures could be data that helps police identify repeat individuals involved in gun violence as well as specific areas to increase patrols in.
“We’re seeing a trending up of intelligence-led policing,” said Crisp.
Over the past five years, APD has successfully filled vacant police positions, which can allow the force to have a more visible presence on the streets.
Rose Werth, a state gun violence analyst with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, is also aware of downward trends. This summer, Werth wrote an article titled “Firearm Violence Is Falling in North Carolina.”
“Just because the numbers are decreasing doesn’t mean we let up on our focus on gun violence,” said Werth.
State data shows a continuing downward trend in firearm-related killings over the past several years.
Werth says Asheville appears to be reflecting that broader trend, particularly following the surge in shootings several years ago tied to the pandemic. As for Asheville, she said there has been investment to help stabilize families.
“I know that there was money that went into housing programming in Asheville and I believe community violence intervention as well,” said Werth.
Asheville police’s gun violence heat maps also identify areas with higher rates of reported shots fired.
APD spokesperson Rick Rice said the department’s shooting-victim data has some important limitations. The numbers do not include robbery victims who were injured or other offenses involving a firearm when the gun was not discharged.
Rice said the data does include both minor and major injuries, including cuts, internal injuries, broken bones and unconsciousness.
“Sometimes a victim is injured by shattering glass resulting from gunfire, rather than being struck by a bullet,” said Rice.
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