21-year-old pleads guilty to first-degree murder in Buncombe Co.

ASHEVILLE, NC (FOX Carolina) – The Buncombe County District Attorney's Office said a 21-year-old man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to first-degree murder more than four years after a fatal shooting.

According to prosecutors, witnesses said the events leading up to the fatal shooting were sparked by a fight at the Hillcrest Apartments involving Rodnee Rayshaun Bowman.

The victim was not involved in the fight, but a friend of the victim attempted to break up the fight, officials said. When the fight was over, an argument began between the victim and Bowman. That's when Bowman pulled out a 9mm handgun and shot the victim in the right chest.

Surveillance video showed Bowman running from the scene. The victim, 24-year-old Jailyn Dumari Morton, succumbed to his injuries.

On February 9, 2020, Asheville police charged Bowman with the firearms death.

Bowman was initially charged as a minor, but North Carolina law requires transfer to a superior court for prosecution as an adult if there is reasonable suspicion that a minor committed a crime of premeditated murder.

Morton's mother had the opportunity to be heard at the sentencing on August 11, 2024 and expressed her satisfaction.

Bowman was sentenced to approximately seven years in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections.

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