Victim of Smokey Park Highway shooting dies, becoming Asheville's second homicide of 2021

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Police report the victim of a shooting that took place on Smokey Park Highway Thursday afternoon has died.

The Asheville Police Department (APD) has identified the deceased as Nathaniel Leon Crosby, 31, of Weaverville.

4 SHOOTINGS, 24 HOURS, 1 DEAD, 1 ARRESTED. NEW DETAILS RELEASED ON ASHEVILLE SHOOTINGS

APD reported Thursday's shooting along Smokey Park Highway was the result of a road rage incident that happened around 2:13 p.m. on April 15. Investigators said male occupants in two cars were involved in escalating taunts that led to one man shooting the other multiple times.

Police say Crosby was shot multiple times and taken to the hospital.

Asheville Police Chief David Zack told News 13 on Friday that a person of interest was released after no criminal charges were filed.

Crosby's death marks the second homicide reported in Asheville this year, withthe first reported on April 15.

Within the span of 24 hours last week, law enforcement responded to four shootings, now with two deceased victims and and one arrested. The wave of gun violence is something Chief Zack called alarming during an interview with New 13.

4 SHOOTINGS IN 24 HOURS: APD CHIEF DISCUSSES WAVE OF GUN VIOLENCE

“We should be alarmed about the violence, but, at the same time, it’s not as if we have some war in the streets going on,” Chief Zach said on Friday, citing two of the four incidents were related to road rage.

The department says the investigation into the shooting along Smokey Park Highway is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back at wlos.com for updates.

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