Brian Keith Wilson Jr., a 34-year-old African-American male, was tragically killed on June 13, 2021, in Asheville, North Carolina. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on Riverside Drive, below the Captain Jeff Bowen Bridge. Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at approximately 1:48 a.m. reporting a person injured by a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, they found Brian Keith Wilson Jr. deceased at the scene.
Another individual, also suffering from gunshot wounds, was transported to Mission Hospital in critical condition.
The investigation into the death of Brian Keith Wilson Jr. led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Tyrell Devon Warren, a 29-year-old African-American male. Warren was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Wilson and the attempted first-degree murder of the second victim. Additionally, Warren faced charges for possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen vehicle, and hit and run.
Warren was apprehended in Monroe, North Carolina, after being located by law enforcement in a stolen vehicle driven by Emily Rachelle Derrick. Derrick was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. She was held in the Union County jail on a $120,000 secure bond.
The Asheville Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Detectives have urged anyone with information about the incident or Warren's whereabouts prior to his arrest to come forward. This case marks the fourth homicide in Asheville in 2021, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing violent crime in the area.
