Corey Lee Gentry, a 31-year-old male from Asheville, NC, tragically lost his life on March 6, 2020. The incident occurred on Pinners Cove Road in South Asheville, where gunfire was reported at 9:19 p.m. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office began an investigation immediately after the incident. The North Carolina medical examiner determined that Gentry died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was a
result of a dispute between Gentry and Abdul-Umar Rasheed Taylor, a 20-year-old male from Asheville. The altercation arose over a drug transaction, leading Taylor to shoot Gentry in retaliation. Initially, a juvenile suspect was arrested without incident, but further evidence led to Taylor being charged with first-degree murder. On July 31, 2023, Taylor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to serve an active term of 94-125 months in prison.
The case was particularly challenging as it was investigated and charged at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited the presentation of complex jury trials for over a year. Despite these challenges, the District Attorney's Office and investigators worked diligently throughout the pandemic to bring justice and accountability for the senseless murder of Corey Lee Gentry. The victim's family was advised of the plea negotiation and appeared in court to speak about the impact of the crime on their family and in memory of Gentry.
