APD records: hooded suspect, 'serious bleeding,' Gucci bag stolen in Tunnel Road murder
ASHEVILLE — Recently-released officer response notes detail an alleged armed robbery and murder on Tunnel Road April 18 between two people who law enforcement say might have known each other.
Kenneth Maurice West Jr., 24, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, was arrested around 7:45 p.m. April 18, about four and a half hours after Asheville police responded to reports of a gunshot wound, according to his arrest report.
Now, West sits in the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond, awaiting a grand jury hearing on May 6, in which his case may be indicted to Buncombe County Superior Court.
What happened that afternoon?
When officers arrived at the 160 block of Tunnel Road at 3:13 p.m., they found a man bleeding out from a gunshot wound to the chest in the parking lot of NTB Tire, the officer response notes show. A news release later identified the man as Oji Trevon Mitchell, 31, of Columbia, South Carolina.
Previous reporting: Update: Asheville police ID man found dead in April 18 Tunnel Road shooting
The notes said Mitchell was suffering “serious bleeding” from multiple wounds. Around 3:20 p.m., the emergency room at Mission Memorial Hospital was advised about the shooting, where Mitchell was transported in critical condition. His time of death was called shortly after 3:40 p.m., according to the notes.
Meanwhile, back at the scene, a suspect in a black hoodie and black pants was seen running down Tunnel Road toward the Waffle House and carrying a pistol just before 3:15 p.m., according to the notes. He was then seen going up the grassy knoll at the Days Inn with his “hood up to cover his face.”
The victim’s belongings were later gathered for evidence and a detective was called to the Firehouse Subs nearby to view footage. A positive identification was made shortly after, at 4:17 p.m. According to the surveillance video, a shell casing was found behind a car in the parking lot, the notes said.
More: Double homicide update: recording studio armed robbery, dozen people hid, murder charge
Around 6:25 p.m., the notes describe a 911 caller who said, “nobody saw what she saw because it happened right next to her.” A caller also said they saw the shooter take something out of the victim’s pocket, according to the notes.
The notes said another caller asked to speak with an officer regarding “a homicide involving her son.” The Citizen Times attempted to reach the victim’s family.
After APD detectives consulted with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office, West was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. According to his arrest warrant, West threatened Mitchell with a 40-caliber Glock 27 handgun and stole “a multicolored Gucci bag, $3,751 US currency, (and) miscellaneous identity documents” totaling $3,900 in value from Mitchell.
More: Fire alarm pulled after 72-year-old beaten to death; Family mourns 'kind' newspaper worker
Capt. Joe Silberman told the Citizen Times police believe it’s possible the two knew each other. Law enforcement in South Carolina assisted in the investigation and APD is “maintaining open lines of communication” with them, Silberman said.
West had a court appearance on April 19, where he was determined not financially able to hire an attorney and was assigned public defender Courtney Booth, according to court records. Booth declined to comment.
West works for a construction company in Rock Hill, a town in South Carolina about two hours from Asheville, according to his affidavit of indigency.
APD’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, spokesperson Rick Rice said May 2. He declined to comment on whether there are other suspects, explaining it may jeopardize the investigation.
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Murder update: hooded suspect shoots man on Tunnel Rd, steals Gucci bag
