Asheville — William Wyatt Adair, 20, died early Monday after a shooting near Patton Avenue and New Leicester Highway. The community is trying to make sense of the violence that took a young life just past midnight.
Police were called around 1:04 a.m. on March 9 for a report of a gunshot victim. When officers got to the scene, they found William with a fatal gunshot wound. First responders worked quickly, but he was pronounced dead right there on the street.
William was born on February 24, 2006. To friends and family, he was a kind, easygoing spirit who cared about the people around him. They remember him as someone who laughed easily and made time for the people he loved. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood and beyond.
Investigators didn’t have long to search before a suspect was spotted nearby. When officers approached, the individual pulled a gun and shot himself in the head. That wound was not fatal. He was taken to Mission Hospital, where he is still in critical condition.
Police have not released the suspect’s name. Detectives and forensic teams are still working to piece together what happened and why the violence unfolded on that stretch of Asheville street.
Family members say they are struggling with grief. Loved ones have been gathering, sharing memories of William’s smiles and plans that will now never be realized. For them, and for many in Asheville, the pain is deep and raw.
Neighbors stand in quiet reflection at the site where William died. Flowers, notes, and small tokens have been left behind. Asheville has been rocked by this loss, and many are calling for peace as they mourn a young life cut tragically short.
