William Wyatt Adair, 20, was killed in a pre-dawn shooting in Asheville on Monday, March 9, 2026. Officers were called about 1:04 a.m. to Patton Avenue near New Leicester Highway and found Adair dead at the scene. The city recorded this as its second homicide of the year.

Co-workers at PIE. ZAA Pizza described Adair as an absolute incredible human being and a shining light, noting his upbeat presence and appearances in promotional videos for the pizzeria. Police canvassed the area and found a juvenile on New Leicester Highway; that individual produced a handgun and shot himself in the head before officers could take him into custody. The juvenile was taken to Mission Hospital in critical condition and died on March 12, 2026. Investigators believe the juvenile acted alone in the homicide.

Anyone who saw activity on Patton Avenue or New Leicester Highway around 1:00 a.m. on March 9, 2026, or who has information about either victim is asked to come forward.