ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828NewsNow.com) — A second man has been charged with first-degree murder in the Arden double homicide investigation, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday afternoon, Oct. 30.
Keith Harold Mooney Jr., 18, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the Oct. 24 shootings at Pine Needle Apartments in Arden.
Mooney was taken into custody Friday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia, by the DeKalb County Police Department, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
His arrest came a day after 28-year-old Asheville resident Tyquan Jahlil Ward was taken into custody Thursday night, Oct. 29.
The sheriff’s office said Ward was charged in connection with the double homicide that was reported about 12:20 a.m. Oct. 24 at Pine Needle Apartments.
According to the sheriff’s office, 19-year-old Joshua Sanchez Ramirez and 27-year-old Darion Armon Smith were found dead from gunshot wounds in a parking lot in the early-morning hours of Oct. 24.
According to warrants, in connection with Ramirez, Ward was charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. In connection with Smith, Ward was charged with first-degree murder.
The sheriff’s office said Ward was taken into custody on the night of Oct. 29. Ward was scheduled to have electronic warrants assigned on Oct. 30 at the Buncombe County Courthouse.
“We hope this is a start in bringing answers and closure for the family of the victims,” Sheriff Quentin Miller said in an earlier news release. “From the moment we responded to this call, we have had a room full of dedicated team members who put everything they have into this case.”
Following Mooney’s arrest Friday, Miller said investigators are continuing their work.
“We now have two individuals in custody and will continue to investigate and exhaust all leads relating to this tragic event,” Miller said.
The sheriff credited cooperation among the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, DeKalb County Police Department, ATF, FBI and Asheville Police Department.
The investigation is ongoing.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Oct. 30 to include the arrest of a second suspect.
