Asheville Arrests Suspect in Amboy Road Killing, Investigation Continues

Asheville police responded to a report of a shooting in the 200 block of Amboy Road at about 7 36 a.m. on December 7. Officers found Antonio Tremaine Carson Jr., 19, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. Local reporting noted ages for the victim and the initial caller varied slightly between 19 and 20 for the victim, and variations appeared in the spelling of the caller name.

Detectives identified the initial 911 caller as 22 year old Hayden Ray Shores and arrested him on charges of first degree murder and discharging a firearm within city limits. Shores was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center under no bond and is awaiting a magistrate or judicial hearing. The Asheville Police Department said the investigation remains active.

Investigators used automatic license plate reader data, surveillance footage and physical evidence to construct a timeline of events leading to the shooting. The department has asked anyone with information to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252 1110 or to submit anonymous tips by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or by using the department app. City officials have not released additional details while detectives continue to gather evidence.

This incident is the sixth homicide in the City of Asheville in 2025, a fact that has heightened concern among residents about violent crime and public safety. For neighbors of Amboy Road the immediate impacts include heightened police presence and community anxiety as investigators work to determine motive and circumstances. For city leaders and law enforcement the case raises questions about resource allocation, investigative tools and community outreach as officials balance rapid response with transparency.

The use of license plate readers and surveillance footage can accelerate investigations, but it also prompts policy questions about oversight and privacy that local elected officials may need to address. As the legal process moves forward residents can expect further public information as charges are formalized and court proceedings unfold. In the meantime the police request for tips remains the primary channel for community members to assist the investigation.