– Asheville Juneteenth festival shooting sentencing
– Teenager tried as adult in Asheville shooting.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : A teenager has admitted guilt in Buncombe County Superior Court on June 11, almost a year after firing shots that caused serious injuries to two young victims at the conclusion of Asheville’s Juneteenth Festival in Pack Square Park. Ja’Woun De’Shun Hackett, a 17-year-old resident of Asheville, pleaded guilty to two charges of felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, one count of possessing a stolen firearm, and one count of possessing a handgun as a minor, as per a statement from District Attorney Todd Williams’ Office. The case was moved from juvenile court to Superior Court in September when Hackett was still 16, to be treated as an adult.
The incident occurred at 8:51 p.m. on June 17, 2023, when a young male, later identified as Hackett, dressed in a red jacket, black ski mask, and a fanny pack, shot two juveniles with a silver and black pistol in Pack Square Park, in front of the Buncombe County Courthouse. Asheville Police Department officers swiftly responded and apprehended Hackett minutes after the shooting. He was found in the same attire described by witnesses, and a matching handgun was discovered in nearby bushes.
Further investigations revealed social media footage of a confrontation between the victims and Hackett, showing him brandishing a similar handgun. Forensic analysis confirmed that the weapon was stolen from an unsecured vehicle in Macon County on November 11, 2022. Authorities highlighted the issue of improperly stored firearms contributing to the surge in youth gun violence in Buncombe County during a gun safety event held at the same park on June 7.
The decision to prosecute Hackett as an adult stemmed from North Carolina’s “Raise the Age” legislation, which raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18, shifting most minor cases to juvenile court. However, exceptions exist for 16- and 17-year-olds charged with Class A-C felonies, necessitating transfer to Superior Court. A pending bill, House Bill 834, proposes placing 16- and 17-year-olds facing A-E felonies in adult court, with limited transfers to juvenile court.
The victims of the shooting sustained severe injuries but were promptly attended to by Kalla Hughley, a probation and parole officer, who applied first aid until medical help arrived. Hughley’s swift actions earned her the Bronze Medal of Honor for saving the injured juvenile. Hackett was subsequently sentenced to prison time and probation, with conditions including community service, education requirements, and no contact with the victims.
The aim of the sentencing is to provide Hackett with the necessary structure and support to prevent future involvement in criminal activities. He has been transferred to Foothills Correctional Institution in Morganton and is expected to complete his sentence before reintegrating into society. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of gun safety and the consequences of irresponsible firearm handling in youth violence incidents..
Asheville Juneteenth festival shooting teenager sentenced adult sentenced adult.
