Funeral Services For Shooting Victims Today (Asheville, NC)
Funeral services are this afternoon for a mother and two teenagers who were shot last week in an apparent triple murder-suicide. Community members are invited to attend the 3 p.m. services for Erica Smith, Harmony Smith and Keithan Whitmire at the First Baptist Church of Asheville. Maurice Garner was accused of shooting the three before turning the gun on himself. The Erica Smith Family Memorial Fund was set up through Elben Charities to assist the family.
Police To Seize Hospital Video From Night Of Shooting (Asheville, NC)
Buncombe County Magistrate Court is allowing Asheville Police to seize video surveillance footage that may provide more details into last week's deadly shooting on Hansel Avenue. The warrant was approved yesterday. The APD was told by a Mission Hospital employee that the accused shooter, Maurice Garner, came to the hospital the night of the shootings. Erica Smith was an employee at the hospital. She and two of her children were shot and killed later that night.
School System Looking Into Alleged Student "Suicide Pact" (Macon County, NC)
The Macon County school system is closely monitoring a group of students that may have made a "suicide pact." Superintendent Chris Baldwin said a school nurse at Mountain View Intermediate learned about a group known as "Edgy" or "Edgy Fan Page 101" through a local health care provider. Social workers and the sheriff's office have made home visits to known members to address the situation.
McDowell County Fire Claims Life Of One (McDowell County, NC)
One person is dead from injuries in a McDowell County house fire. Engines rushed out to Old Linville Road in the North Cove community late Thursday morning after a neighbor saw smoke coming from a mobile home. The victim was reportedly the only person living there. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire and have not yet released the person's identity.
Sheriff Announces Resignation (McDowell County, NC)
McDowell County's Sheriff is leaving office early before his term is up. Dudley Greene had already announced he wouldn't seek re-election this year. He has now submitted his resignation, effective May 31st. The county's Republican Party executive committee will meet soon to choose who will take over for the rest of the year. Chief Deputy Ricky Buchanan is a Republican that has already thrown his name into the hat for the sheriff's race.
Superintendent Visits Asheville (Asheville, NC)
North Carolina's state school superintendent is making some Asheville schools his last stop on a tour of the state. Mark Johnson stopped by Nesbitt Discovery Academy and Hall Fletcher Elementary School yesterday to visit with students and tour the schools. He visited with the Rotary Club of Asheville as well.
Alleged Victim Opens Up About Panthers' Owner (Charlotte, NC)
A former Carolina Panthers employee is coming forward about allegations against team owner Jerry Richardson. The woman says Richardson broke a non-disclosure agreement after it was reported he discussed the allegations at the NFL's owner meetings. She detailed reported sexual advances made by Richardson in a letter published by Sports Illustrated yesterday. The Panthers maintain they are taking the claims seriously and are cooperating with the NFL.
Charlotte Contingent Heads To DC For RNC Push (Charlotte, NC)
The push to host the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte continues. A delegation including Mayor Vi Lyles, police chief Kerr Putney and the state's GOP chairman visited Washington, D.C. yesterday to make a formal pitch to the convention committee. The Republican Party is slated to choose a host city this summer. Charlotte hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2012.
Panthers Select Maryland Receiver In Draft (Charlotte, NC)
The Carolina Panthers are adding another offensive weapon for quarterback Cam Newton in this year's NFL draft. The team selected Maryland wide receiver D.J. Moore with its first round pick, which was 24th overall. Moore had just over one-thousand receiving yards in his junior season with the Terrapins in 2017. The Panthers will select three players today in the 2nd and 3rd round of the draft.