Travis Dominick Mayfield, a 40-year-old African American man, tragically lost his life on November 10, 2016, in Asheville, North Carolina. Born on June 29, 1976, in Chester, South Carolina, Travis moved to Asheville as a child and was a longtime resident. He was actively involved in Nazareth First Baptist Church during his childhood and young adult life. Travis later resided in Kentucky and Indiana before returning to Franklin, North Carolina, in 2014.
He was survived by his two sons, Travis Mayfield Jr. and Jackson Mayfield, his daughter Cade Peay, and his fiancée Vicki Lee Freeman and her sons.
On the fateful night of November 10, 2016, Travis Mayfield was involved in a deadly altercation at the Deaverview Apartments in West Asheville. The incident occurred in the early morning hours when Travis, Frederick Simpson, and Travoscia Brown got into an argument that quickly escalated. According to police reports, Travis had gone to the apartments to mediate a conflict involving his half-sister. During the confrontation, Travoscia Brown shot Travis in the back of the neck. Officers who responded to the scene found Travis still alive and transported him to Mission Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries just over an hour later.
The investigation into Travis Mayfield's death led to the arrest of Frederick Simpson, 25, and Travoscia Brown, 28. Both men were initially indicted on first-degree murder charges. However, due to conflicting witness statements and a lack of cooperation from some witnesses, the prosecution faced challenges in building a strong case. Multiple witnesses provided varying accounts of the events leading up to the shooting, with some stating that Travis was armed with a gun, while others claimed he was not.
In March 2019, Frederick Simpson and Travoscia Brown pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with Travis Mayfield's death. The plea deal resulted in a reduced sentence of five to seven years in prison for both men. The court acknowledged the mitigating factors, including the defendants' support systems within the community. Despite the plea deal, Travis Mayfield's family expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome, feeling that the sentence did not adequately reflect the gravity of their loss. The family continues to mourn the loss of Travis, who was remembered fondly by his loved ones and community.
