One Dead in Officer-Involved Shooting in Transylvania County

Transylvania County -- A person is dead following an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Sunday morning, July 6, 2025, in the Pisgah Forest community of Transylvania County.

 The incident unfolded during a welfare check conducted by Transylvania County Sheriff's Office deputies.

According to a news release by Transylvania Sheriff Chuck Owenby, deputies responded to a call for a welfare check around 12:30 a.m. at the Pizza Hut parking lot located at 62 Pisgah Highway. Upon locating a vehicle and individual in question, the situation escalated.

Authorities state that as deputies entered the parking lot, the person inside the vehicle began firing shots at them. One of the deputies' vehicles was struck by gunfire. Deputies returned fire, fatally wounding the individual. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire.

In line with standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) has been called in to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. Two deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.

Sheriff Owenby stated in the release that the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office will not be releasing any further information at this time, deferring to the ongoing NCSBI investigation.

WNCTimes

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