From Staff Reports

HENDERSONVILLE — A Hendersonville man was stabbed to death on the night of Dec. 23 at or near J&J’s Little Store just off the Seventh Avenue and Robinson Terrace area in Hendersonville, just a few blocks away from a busy stretch of businesses, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Dec. 27.

The victim, identified as 50-year-old Kevin Deran Copelin of Hendersonville, managed to get back up and make it across Seventh Avenue after the knife attack. 

Police said the victim then was rushed to the hospital where he later died.

Seventh Avenue Depot District is a national historic district that is the focus of Hendersonville’s ongoing Streetscape Project. 

Meanwhile, Allison Justus of the City of Hendersonville told News 13 that Hendersonville police officers were called about an “unknown problem” — around 8:45 p.m. Dec. 23 — to the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Robinson Terrace.

Upon arrival, police found Copelin suffering from injuries “consistent with a knife assault,” Justus said.

She said he was taken by ambulance to Pardee UNC Health, where he died.

“The assault appears to be an isolated incident, and detectives are actively pursuing all leads,” Justus said, adding that no suspects have been named, and no arrests have been made.

Officials asked anyone with information to come forward and contact Detective Colby Torbett at (828)v697-3025 — or call 911.

Anonymous tips may also be made through the Hendersonville Police Department App, which can be downloaded from the iOS app store or Google Play store by searching “Hendersonville PD.”