Asheville police debunk fake flyer after downtown shooting

Asheville police said a viral social media flyer naming a person of interest in the downtown July 19 shooting was misinformation, not an official department release. The warning landed as Asheville continued to absorb a case that left two people dead and seven others injured near the 250 block of Biltmore Avenue.

The gunfire broke out just before 2:30 a.m. outside Dalton’s Distillery and next to the Smile Starters parking lot, in the heart of one of Asheville’s busiest downtown corridors. Witnesses told reporters they heard about 25 to 30 gunshots fired within seconds, and injured victims were taken to Mission Hospital.

Police said the shooting was likely connected to another shooting that happened one week earlier nearby, adding another layer of complexity to an investigation that had already drawn intense public attention. By July 22, no arrests had been announced, and the department was pushing back against online posts that tried to identify a suspect or person of interest without an official release.

That false flyer mattered because it could mislead witnesses, spread fear, and point blame at the wrong person while investigators tried to sort through competing claims and tips. In a downtown area filled with businesses, workers and visitors, the spread of a fake post can move faster than verified information, especially after a mass-casualty shooting.

A bartender at Dalton’s Distillery described the scene as terrifying and said, “I’m shaken, I’m angry.” The City of Asheville also urged people to follow Asheville Police Department channels and stay alert to misinformation circulating in the community.

For residents trying to sort fact from rumor, the safest check is simple: rely on official APD updates and City of Asheville messages before sharing anything tied to an active crime scene. If a flyer or post is not an official department release, police have made clear it should not be treated as credible information about the case.