Two men were found shot to death in Arden early Saturday near the Henderson County line, and investigators have not announced an arrest or identified a suspect. Deputies identified the victims as 19-year-old Joshua Sanchez Ramirez and 27-year-old Darion Armon Smith.
Patrol deputies were called to a reported gunshot wound around 12:20 a.m. on Pine Needle Drive near the Henderson County line, according to foxcarolina.com. The Charlotte Observer, citing the sheriff's office's press release, reported that the two men were found on Pine Needle Lane around the same time near the Henderson County line. Ramirez and Smith were found dead from gunshot wounds, according to officials cited by foxcarolina.com.
Investigation Launched After Early-Morning Discovery
The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office said an investigation has been launched after the two men were found dead in Arden early Saturday morning. The sheriff's office has released no further information beyond the basic circumstances of the discovery, per the Charlotte Observer's account of the agency's press release.
Officials said the agency's Criminal Investigations Division is working to identify the shooter and the circumstances surrounding the deaths. No suspect, motive, arrest or weapon information has been confirmed in connection with the case.
Shooting Comes Amid Broader Crime Trends in the County
The Asheville Citizen Times reported a significant drop in citywide violent crime in 2025 and the city's lowest homicide count since 2017.
No further details about the circumstances of the Arden shooting, including whether the two men knew each other, have been confirmed. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has not released additional information, and this story may be updated as the investigation continues.
