News

City officer justified in shooting man armed with knives, D.A. says

By Bill Moss, Published: August 18, 2026

A city police officer was justified when he fired his service rifle at a man armed with knives who was walking toward him and other officers despite repeated warnings to stop and surrender, District Attorney R. Andrew Murray said in a letter to the special agent in charge of the Asheville office of the SBI.

Murray said the non-fatal shooting in March by Sgt. Thomas Reynolds was legally justfied because of the threat the suspect posed after many attempts to calm the suspect, Christopher Tarbox.

“After a thorough review of all facts and evidence presented in the investigative report compiled by SBI Special Agent K.J. McMurray, it is my conclusion that Sergeant Reynolds was legally justified in the use of his rifle to shoot,” Murray said. “Unfortunately, Tarbox's actions created an imminent threat that required Sergeant Reynolds to use deadly force to protect himself and the other officers present.”

Murray said he conducted a through a review of body-worn camera and vehicle footage, civilian bystander videos, recorded and transcribed video and audio interviews, medical records, and other physical evidence of the incident at mid-afternoon March 15, when on-duty Hendersonville police officers responded to a 911 call. Christopher Tarbox had made two distress calls to 911 expressing his intention to harm himself or others, a dispatcher reported.

“Upon arrival at Tarbox's apartment, officers were initially unable to make contact with anyone inside, despite being able to hear that the apartment was occupied. For their safety after knocking several times officers took positions in the parking lot immediately outside the apartment complex, where they were afforded protective cover,” Murray said.

Tarbox exited his apartment holding knives both hands and acting and speaking erratically.

“It was apparent to the two initial responding officers that Tarbox was experiencing some type of mental-health crisis,” Murray said. Additional Hendersonville police officers arrived on scene.

“When Tarbox was outside his residence, he refused numerous commands to put down the knives. At one point, he threw a knife in the direction of the officers,” Murray said.

Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation for a half hour while Tarbox continued to move back and forth between his apartment and the parking lot. He eventually walked into the parking lot, still carrying knives in both hands and proceeded to pace back and forth within the containment area police had made.

Officers continued attempts “to de-escalate the situation by telling Tarbox that they were there to help him and that his family cared about him,” the D.A. said. “He was repeatedly told that he needed only to put down the knives and that everything would be okay. Tarbox refused to comply, became increasingly agitated, and began focusing his attention on Sgt. Reynolds, who had his firearm drawn and held in a low-ready position.”

Tarbox began walking directly toward Reynolds and Lt. Bruce Darrah. As Tarbox approached, Darrah told him that he had just spoken with Tarbox's sister. Tarbox responded that he did not know her. He continued “walking with purpose directly toward Sgt. Reynolds and Lt. Darrah.

“Both Reynolds and Darrah repeatedly ordered Tarbox to stop and warned him that he would be shot if he continued. Meanwhile, Officer Elijah Bradley maneuvered around several vehicles and positioned himself behind Tarbox in an attempt to obtain an unobstructed shot with his TASER.”

At that point, as Tarbox walking toward them,  the officers he reached perceived his actions as an immediate threat.

“The officers simultaneously discharged their respective weapons. Sgt. Reynolds struck Tarbox with one round in the abdomen, while Officer Bradley struck Tarbox with his TASER, causing Tarbox to immediately drop the knives and fall to the ground.  Tarbox was immediately handcuffed and attending officers rendered first aid while EMS was notified.”

Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand immediately notified the SBI of the shooting, which pursuant to protocol assumed the lead in the investigation.

An SBI special agent recovered numerous kitchen knives and a closed-blade knife in the area where Tarbox was shot. A spent shell matched the caliber of Reynolds's service rifle.

“Based upon the information available to me, it is clear that Sgt. Reynolds lawfully discharged his service weapon in response to an imminent threat to his life and the lives of his fellow officers,” Murray said.