UPDATE: (5/15)- The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said that a suspect was arrested that shot a deputy earlier this month.
Deputies said that Ryan Ricky Houston, 40, of Weaverville has been charged in relation to the shooting outside of the Buncombe County Detention Facility. Houston was arrested by the Asheville Police Department.
Deputies said that Houston remains in custody at Mission Hospital and is charged with the following:
- attempted first-degree murder
- assault inflicting serious bodily injury
- two counts of assault leo/po with firearm
- injury to personal property
According to deputies, additional charges are forthcoming.
“Thank you to our Deputy and the APD Officer for their heroic actions which prevented harm to other individuals,” says Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – A deputy with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s office was shot early Sunday morning.
According to the sheriff’s office, around 1:40 a.m. the deputy was securing warrants and assisting a woman with a previous incident at the Magistrate’s Office, located inside of the Buncombe County Detention Center.
The suspect walked into the lobby of the building. As the deputy and an officer from the Asheville Police Department approached the suspect to arrest him, the suspect shot the deputy in the shoulder.
The officer was assaulted during the altercation and sustained minor injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect was also shot and left the scene but has been taken into custody.
The deputy was taken to a nearby hospital for their injuries and was released shortly after.
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office identified the deputy as Deputy William Johnston.
The Buncombe County Detention Facility and Magistrate’s Office, located at 20 Davidson Drive remains under lockdown as the North Carolina SBI investigates the shooting.
Stay connected with 7NEWS for additional updates.
