William Wyatt Adair was remembered by friends and coworkers as someone whose presence felt like family, a young man who offered comfort, listened without judgment, and made every shift brighter. His colleagues at PIE.ZZA in Asheville, North Carolina, described him as the kind of person who could be confided in, someone who brought warmth and sincerity into every interaction.
Coworkers recalled how his passion for food and customer service shaped the atmosphere of the restaurant. He was known for his humor, his quick wit, and his ability to make people laugh, often appearing in the shop’s social media videos such as “Hot Takes and Hot Slices.” His dedication and upbeat personality left a lasting impression on both staff and customers.
The restaurant’s owner described him as an extraordinary young man whose positivity was constant and genuine. He was seen as a natural source of light in the shop, someone who elevated the environment simply by being present. His outlook on life, especially for someone so young, was admired deeply by those who worked alongside him.
In the early morning hours of Monday, March 9, 2026, tragedy struck. At approximately 1:04 a.m., Asheville Police Department officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim on Patton Avenue near New Leicester Highway in Asheville, North Carolina. When they arrived, they found William suffering from a severe gunshot wound. He died at the scene.
William was just 20-years-old and a student at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. His death marked another violent incident in a series of shootings that had shaken the city in the days prior. The loss devastated those who knew him, from coworkers to customers who had come to appreciate his kindness and energy.
Police quickly located a juvenile suspect nearby on New Leicester Highway. As officers attempted to take him into custody, the suspect shot himself in the head. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his self-inflicted injuries, according to a March 12 police update.