Police and emergency services respond to a violent incident in Hendersonville.
A tragic stabbing incident in Hendersonville has left the community in shock. Kevin Deran Copelin was fatally injured in a knife attack, leading to the arrest of suspect Willie Lee Brown III. As the investigation unfolds, residents reflect on the impact of such violence during the holiday season.
In a shocking turn of events, the quiet town of Hendersonville has been rocked by a violent crime just days before Christmas. On December 23, 2024, a stabbing incident unfolded at approximately 8:43 p.m. at the busy intersection of 7th Avenue East and Robinson Terrace. The victim, a 50-year-old man named Kevin Deran Copelin, lost his life as a result of what authorities have deemed a brutal knife attack.
Witnesses reported seeing a commotion in the area, leading to the police being called. When officers arrived, they found Copelin with serious, penetrating injuries that suggested he had been the victim of a vicious assault. The Henderson County Emergency Medical Services quickly rushed him to Pardee UNC Health, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival, leaving the community in disbelief.
The Hendersonville Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the incident, looking for any clues that could help them solve the case. Surveillance video captured harrowing moments leading up to and during the stabbing, revealing a clearer picture of that fateful evening. Police began to suspect that there might have been some prior interaction between Copelin and the alleged attacker.
As the investigation progressed, authorities identified a suspect: Willie Lee Brown III, a 34-year-old resident of Hendersonville. Brown became the focus of their inquiry, and detectives wasted no time in issuing a warrant for his arrest.
Thanks to the quick actions of the U.S. Marshal Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, Brown was apprehended without any fuss at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Asheville on January 12, 2025. The arrest took place around noon after the Hendersonville Police Department made the request. Brown is now facing serious charges, being held without bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.
In a reflection of his financial situation, Brown signed an affidavit of indigency, which allowed him to be assigned a public defender. His upcoming disposition hearing is slated for February 4, 2025, where more will be revealed about the case and the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
The police continue to urge anyone with additional details about that night to come forward. Those who may have information are encouraged to reach out to Detective Torbett at 828-697-3025 or submit anonymous tips through the Hendersonville Police Department App. It’s clear that this incident has left the community shocked, especially considering that the location is known to officers as a “high-traffic drug area.”
As the investigation unfolds, police have also executed a search warrant to obtain records from the victim’s cellphone to gather potential evidence regarding the case. This could provide crucial insights into what led to that fateful confrontation.
The stabbing has cast a shadow over the holiday season in Hendersonville, prompting many to reflect on the safety of their community. As residents come to terms with this tragic event, they may find comfort in the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to ensure justice is served and to make Hendersonville the safe haven it has always been known to be.
We’ll be keeping an eye on this case as more details emerge, and we encourage everyone in the community to stay vigilant and support one another during these turbulent times.
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