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Additional arrest made in deadly Tunnel Road shooting

Additional arrest made in deadly Tunnel Road shooting

A second suspect has been charged with first-degree murder after a shooting along Tunnel Road in Asheville left one man dead in April. Photo: Saga Communications/Metro Creative Graphics


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

Asheville police have charged a second suspect in the shooting death of a man on Tunnel Road.

According to Asheville police arrest warrants, 21-year-old Laila Abdur Rahim has been charged with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy in the shooting death of 33-year-old Oji Trevon Mitchell. Buncombe County jail records show Rahim was arrested on July 2, 2024 and there is no bond amount listed.

A previous press release from the Asheville Police Department (APD) says Mitchell was killed in broad daylight on April 18. Officers responded to the 160 block of Tunnel Road around 3:13 p.m. for reports of a gunshot wound. When they arrived at the scene, they found Mitchell nearby suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to Mission Hospital where he died from his injuries.

This marked Asheville’s third homicide of the year at the time, according to police. To date, there have been five homicides within city limits.

Suspects in Tunnel Road homicide in Asheville
According to warrants, both Laila Rahim (left) and Kenneth West (right) face first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Oji Mitchell, who died in April 2024. (Credit: Buncombe County Detention Center)

On April 18, police arrested 24-year-old Kenneth Maurice West Jr., charging him with first-degree murder and armed robbery in the shooting. He received no bond when he was booked into the Buncombe County jail.

Regarding Rahim’s felony conspiracy charge, arrest warrants state she “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did conspire with Kenneth Maurice West Jr. and other persons unknown to commit the felony of first-degree murder…against Oji Trevon Mitchell.”

According to county officials, Rahim’s first court appearance was scheduled for July 3. 828newsNOW has reached out to the Asheville Police Department for any more information it can release on Rahim’s charges and the investigation.

In a previous news release, APD said detectives were asking anyone with information about this case to send an anonymous tip by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store). You can also contact APD at (828) 252-1110.

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