Asheville interim police chief details seizures, multiagency strategy after Biltmore Avenue shooting
July 30, 2026 | Asheville City, Buncombe County, North Carolina
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Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp told the Asheville City Public Safety Committee on July 29 that the police department has retooled its response to recent shootings to focus resources on identified offenders, embed officers with federal task forces and coordinate monthly multiagency gun-violence meetings.
"APD is committed to two things: holding those accountable who threaten our community and standing beside those that we serve," Stepp said, describing task-force officers embedded with the FBI, ATF, DEA and U.S. Marshals and a standing meeting that she said brings prosecutors and law enforcement partners together to decide the best venue for prosecution.
Stepp said APD has seized 97 firearms year to date and described illegal modifications known as "Glock switches," which she said convert pistols into automatic weapons. She also highlighted a recently reconstituted housing team that began work on July 6; in its first three weeks the team seized seven firearms — including an AK-47 with a high-capacity drum magazine — and investigated 12 felony drug cases.
Council members pushed presenters on prevention and early intervention. Council Member Shanika Smith asked about violence interruption and community-based prevention models; Smith and Vice Mayor Antoinette Mosley said constituents want both prevention and timely apprehension of suspects. Deputy Chief Sean Ardemo and Chief Stepp said APD is working to strengthen prevention partnerships while continuing targeted enforcement and intelligence-led investigations.
The committee was urged to support broader community partnerships and tip lines: Stepp encouraged anyone with information about the Biltmore Avenue shooting to contact Asheville PD at (828) 252-1110 or use anonymous reporting tools. The committee did not take formal action on new ordinances or curfew proposals at the meeting; members asked for continued staff follow-up on prevention and intelligence strategies.
"APD is committed to two things: holding those accountable who threaten our community and standing beside those that we serve," Stepp said, describing task-force officers embedded with the FBI, ATF, DEA and U.S. Marshals and a standing meeting that she said brings prosecutors and law enforcement partners together to decide the best venue for prosecution.
Stepp said APD has seized 97 firearms year to date and described illegal modifications known as "Glock switches," which she said convert pistols into automatic weapons. She also highlighted a recently reconstituted housing team that began work on July 6; in its first three weeks the team seized seven firearms — including an AK-47 with a high-capacity drum magazine — and investigated 12 felony drug cases.
Council members pushed presenters on prevention and early intervention. Council Member Shanika Smith asked about violence interruption and community-based prevention models; Smith and Vice Mayor Antoinette Mosley said constituents want both prevention and timely apprehension of suspects. Deputy Chief Sean Ardemo and Chief Stepp said APD is working to strengthen prevention partnerships while continuing targeted enforcement and intelligence-led investigations.
The committee was urged to support broader community partnerships and tip lines: Stepp encouraged anyone with information about the Biltmore Avenue shooting to contact Asheville PD at (828) 252-1110 or use anonymous reporting tools. The committee did not take formal action on new ordinances or curfew proposals at the meeting; members asked for continued staff follow-up on prevention and intelligence strategies.
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