In the pre-dawn hours of Monday, March 9, 2026, the city of Asheville, North Carolina, was rattled by a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 20-year-old William Wyatt Adair. The incident unfolded around 1:04 a.m. on Patton Avenue, near the New Leicester Highway. Officers from the Asheville Police Department were dispatched to the scene following reports of a person with a gunshot wound. Upon their arrival, they discovered Adair, who had succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
This tragic event marked the city's second homicide of the year.
The community, particularly his colleagues at PIE. ZAA Pizza, remembered Adair as an "absolute incredible human being" and a "shining light." His positive demeanor and outlook on life had made a lasting impression on both customers and staff. He was known for his engaging presence, even appearing in humorous promotional videos for the pizzeria. His sudden death sent ripples of shock and heartbreak through those who knew him.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement quickly canvassed the area in search of the person responsible. Their search led them to New Leicester Highway, where they located a suspect. Before officers could apprehend him, the individual, later identified as a juvenile, produced a handgun and shot himself in the head. He was transported to Mission Hospital in critical condition.
The investigation into Adair's death continued as detectives and forensic technicians processed the scene and followed up on leads. A few days later, on March 12, 2026, the juvenile suspect succumbed to his self-inflicted injuries and was pronounced dead. Investigators with the Asheville Police Department believe the juvenile acted alone in the homicide.
