At 7:47 a.m. May 11, the Asheville Police Department received a call from a manager at the In Town Motor Lodge (100 Tunnel Road) reporting that an individual staying at the lodge was yelling aggressively and damaging property. Lt. Michael Lamb was the first officer to arrive at approximately 8:11 a.m. Lt. Lamb spoke with the manager who stated that Jonathan Alan Bedrosian was the name of the individual causing the disturbance.
Lt. Lamb went to the room in which Bedrosian was staying and attempted to start a dialogue through the closed door. Bedrosian continued to behave in an aggressive manner. Lt. Lamb, and additional officers that had arrived on scene, went to the balcony on the backside of the room in an attempt to observe the suspect through a glass door. Bedrosian came out through the rear door and attacked Lamb with an edged weapon. Following a struggle, Lt. Lamb shot the suspect.
Bedrosian, a 37-year-old white male, of Asheville, was transported to Mission Hospital with critical injuries. Lt. Lamb was treated for injuries sustained during the struggle.
Per the Asheville Police Department’s protocol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was contacted and will conduct the investigation into the office-involved shooting.
Per the Asheville Police Department’s Use of Force Policy, Lt. Michael Lamb was placed on investigative suspension.
For additional questions about this incident, please contact SBI Communication Officer Patty McQuillan at 919-582-8511.
Update
After consulting with the District Attorney’s Office, the Asheville Police Department has charged Jonathan Alan Bedrosian with Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and Assault on a Government Official with a Deadly Weapon. Bedrosian remains at Mission Hospital under the custody of the Asheville Police Department. His warrants will be served upon his release.