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Michael Andrew Houser

Case from Banner-elk, NC dated Sep 30, 2023

Victim Details

Michael Andrew Houser

Male

White / Caucasian

Banner-elk

NC

2023-09-30

51

Michael

Andrew Houser

07/17/2026

Case Description

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On September 30, 2023, in Banner Elk, North Carolina, 51-year-old Michael "Mike" Houser was fatally shot during an altercation with his neighbor, Brenden James Smith, an off-duty detention officer with the Avery County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred on Teaster Valley Lane around 8 p.m., reportedly stemming from a dispute over a deer that Smith had shot while bow hunting. The wounded deer crossed onto Houser's property, leading to a confrontation between the two men, which escalated into ...
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Links to Additional Sources (7)

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  • WLOS: Off duty detention officer accused of shooting, killing neighbor during dispute over deer
  • High Country Press: Avery County Detention Officer Involved in Shooting
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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone else been closely following the investigation into Mike Houser's tragic death in Banner E... ...Read More
    12/04/2024
    I've been reading through the posts here and what strikes me the most is the tragic ripple effect th... ...Read More
    08/22/2024
    I can't help but think of the impact this tragic event has had on the community in Banner Elk. It's ... ...Read More
    05/03/2024
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