North Carolina
NC Wildlife: No charges in Asheville ‘black bear cub harassment’ for selfies
Bear cubs snatched from tree for use as selfie prop in Asheville
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is investigating the incident that occurred at Berrington Village Apartments in Asheville, April 16.
ASHEVILLE — After a group of people were videotaped pulling two young black bear cubs from a tree to take a selfie at an Asheville apartment complex April 16, officers with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have decided not to press charges, drawing surprise and criticism from wildlife advocates.
Wildlife commission officers began investigating after they were contacted by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office regarding what the commission later called “harassment of black bear cubs” at Berrington Village Apartments. When staff arrived on scene, they were told “both cubs had escaped after a cub bit one of the people,” according to previous news release.
“Officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission have investigated this incident, and, while dangerous and unfortunate, it appears to be an isolated event,” said commission spokesperson Failey Mahlum.
“It is unlawful in NC to capture and keep black bears. However, the bear cubs were immediately released, and officers have determined there will be no charges filed.”
Mahlum confirmed that the investigation into the incident is now closed.
Ashely Hobbs, a special projects biologist with NCWRC, previously told the Citizen Times that when she arrived at the apartment complex, one bear cub was wet, cold and alone, sitting in a retention pond.
Hobbs said it must have been there for a while and was “obviously a bit traumatized.” In the later-released news alert April 18, Hobbs said the cub was “favoring one of its front paws.”
Previous reporting: Video, witness: Asheville apartment residents pulled black bear cubs from tree for selfie
More: Fines levied for visitors feeding bear on Blue Ridge Parkway? When will road reopen?
NC Humane Society director encouraged penalties, ‘surprised’ there’s none
Gail Thomssen, the North Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States, called this incident a “startling and serious reminder of the severe lack of awareness, caution and respect for wildlife that some can exhibit when chasing opportunities to interact, handle and pose for photos with wild animals.”
Thomssen said it was part of a “shockingly irresponsible” trend of people interacting with wildlife. “It is cruel to the animals and puts the public in harm’s way.”
While in an initial statement Thomssen “encouraged penalties,: when asked for her reaction to the commission’s decision not to press charges, she said the Humane Society was “surprised that no charges were filed since it is illegal to capture and keep black bears in North Carolina,” adding that she believed the wildlife commission “conducted a thorough investigation.”
“We do hope at the very least, that the critical attention this sad situation is receiving, that the public can reflect on what happened to these animals and hopefully have more respect and leave wildlife alone,” Thomssen said.
North Carolina General Statute 113‑294 (c1) states that “any person who unlawfully takes, possesses, transports, sells, possesses for sale, or buys any bear or bear part is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor,” punishable by a fine of at least $2,000.
The law does not stipulate how long a person must be in possession of a bear to be in violation of the statute.
“The commission’s tired argument that the perpetrators quickly released the cubs is yet another feeble excuse for the commission’s refusal to enforce North Carolina’s wildlife laws that are already wholly inadequate, even if the commission enforced them,” Diana Starr, an Asheville multispecies geographer and bear advocate, told the Citizen Times April 19.
“These ‘abuse for likes’ cases must be vigorously prosecuted to deter other abusers and are why wildlife harassment and abuse laws must be strengthened and enforced,” Starr said.
More: ‘Shocked’ Blue Ridge Parkway traveler recounts seeing visitors ‘inches’ from black bear
What did the video show? Where are the bear cubs now?
The video, obtained by the Citizen Times, shows a group of people trying to grab the black bear cubs from a tree branch extending over a short fence to the apartment complex’s property. One woman snatches a cub, and after screaming in excitement, she poses for a picture with the bear.
The cub then drops to the ground and runs along the inside of the fence, attempting to climb the fence a couple of times while the women chases after it.
“I tried telling them to stop, but they wouldn’t listen so I thought recording it might help get justice for the sweet bear cub,” said Rachel Staudt, a resident of the apartment complex who took the video.
Mahlum said wildlife officers and biologists have spoken with the individuals involved about the importance of leaving bear cubs alone.
“We hope the media attention this incident has received will re-emphasize the importance of following the BearWise® Basics and to leave wild animals alone,” Mahlum said.
The cub rescued from the retention pond remains at the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge in Candler, a licensed orphaned bear cub rehabilitation facility, according to Mahlum.
“She appears to be in stable condition and has been placed with another orphaned cub rescued earlier this year,” Mahlum said. “The second cub in the video has not been located, but we continue to monitor the area for signs of it or the mother bear.”
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
Less than two weeks after losing its head coach to Duke University, a North Carolina high school football program has been promoted from within.
Kevin Reddick will become the new head coach at Rolesville High School, replacing Ranier Rackley, who became the Director of Player Development at Duke University.
News of the decision was first reported by High School OT.
Reddick was the defensive coordinator for the Rams for the past three seasons, helping the team win 25 games during that run. Last year, Rolesville allowed just under 15 points per game with Reddick in charge of the defense.
North Carolina High School Promotes Defensive Coordinator To Head Coach
Rolesville finished 9-4 last season under Rackley and Reddick.
Reddick is a graduate of New Bern High School, helping the Bears capture the 2007 Class 4AA North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship. He was tabbed the most valuable player of that title game as a sophomore fullback after scoring two touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over Independence.
At New Bern, Reddick earned conference defensive player of the year honors and was all-state at lineback as a senior after recording 189 tackles, eight quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles and four blocked punts. He also ran for over 160 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Kevin Reddick Was College Standout, Had NFL Career Before Becoming Coach
Following his high school career, Reddick signed with North Carolina as a four-star prospect, earning first team all-ACC honors as a senior. He also had offers from North Carolina State, Virginia and Clemson.
With the Tar Heels, Reddick played in 50 games, recording 275 tackles, including 36 for loss, with 8.5 quarterback sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Reddick signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent, and also had stints with the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills.
Rolesville reached the North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship game with Reddick on the coaching staff and the third round this past season.
Rolesville Returns Top Rusher, Several Other Key Players
The Rams will be replacing starting quarterback Kaleb Williams, who had almost 2,500 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, as freshman Chase Williams was 8-for-8 for 98 yards with a touchdown in three games.
They will have top running back Amir Brown back, as he ran for 1,374 yards with 22 touchdowns and six games of 100 yards rushing as a junior. He also had 13 receptions for 106 yards and another TD.
Anthony Roberts is another key player back, as he caught 35 passes for 656 yards and nine TDs. Top tacklers Jayden Broadie, Javon Campbell, Genesis Allen and Keonte Sutton are all set to return, as well.
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At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.
Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.
Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.
Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.
“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.
According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.
Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.
This is a developing story
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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