On the morning of July 1, 2026, deputies responded to Corn Mountain Road in Hendersonville, North Carolina, after reports of gunfire. At 3:04 a.m. they found 63-year-old Edward Russell fatally shot. Family and neighbours described Russell as funny and compassionate and said he didn’t deserve such a violent end.

Within a day investigators arrested 62-year-old Ervin Perry Landis Jr. He was charged with first-degree murder and jailed without bond. Authorities have not released a motive or detailed the relationship, if any, between Russell and the accused. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when available.

If anyone has information about Russell, his activities on Corn Mountain Road that night, or contacts with Ervin Perry Landis Jr., please come forward to assist the investigation.