The Asheville community is grieving the loss of 20-year-old William Wyatt Adair, a beloved PIE.ZZA employee whose life was tragically cut short in a shooting early Sunday morning. The incident, which police have confirmed was carried out by a lone juvenile suspect who later died by suicide, has left family, friends, and coworkers struggling to process the sudden absence of a young man remembered for his radiant positivity and genuine care for others.
Officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim in the 1100 block of Patton Avenue near New Leicester Highway around 1:04 a.m. on March 9. Upon arrival, they found Adair deceased from a gunshot wound. Investigators quickly developed a description of the suspect, who had fled on foot, and located him along New Leicester Highway.
Before officers could take him into custody, the suspect produced a handgun and shot himself in the head. He was transported to Mission Hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries on March 12. Police have confirmed the suspect, a juvenile whose identity has not been released, acted alone.
Adair was a longtime employee at PIE.ZZA, a popular downtown Asheville pizza spot, where he was known for his passion for food, his customer service skills, and the genuine warmth he brought to every interaction. Coworkers remember someone who made every shift better, who listened more than he spoke, and whose quick wit and cheerful nature created an atmosphere that customers and staff alike looked forward to experiencing.
Friends describe William as someone who felt like family, a person you could cry to or tell anything, who always allowed others their moment without making conversations about himself. He was featured often on the pizzeria’s social media in videos that showcased his lively spirit, becoming a recognizable face in the local food scene. His work at PIE.ZZA was never just a job; it was an extension of who he was.
The owner of PIE.ZZA called him an absolute incredible human being, always a shining light in the shop whose positivity could not be taught or coached. Every day he came to work, he made the place better, a sentiment echoed by everyone who knew him. His presence touched everyone who crossed his path.
The shooting that claimed Adair’s life was one of three separate violent incidents over a single weekend in Asheville, leaving two dead and nine injured. Police have stated the incidents are not believed to be connected. In the aftermath, PIE.ZZA closed temporarily to allow staff time to grieve and honor their coworker and friend.
The Asheville Police Department continues its investigation, urging anyone with information to contact them at 828-252-1110. As the community mourns, those who loved William Wyatt Adair hold onto memories of a vibrant 20-year-old whose cheerful spirit and genuine heart made every moment brighter in the downtown Asheville area.
