Manhunt Intensifies for Armed Survivalist Suspected of Killing Two Police Officers

Asheville, NC — A massive manhunt stretched into its third day Tuesday as hundreds of officers, federal agents, and tactical teams scoured dense forests and rural backroads across western North Carolina in search of a heavily armed survivalist accused of killing two police officers during a routine traffic stop.

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Daniel Mercer, is described by authorities as a former military reservist with extensive survival training and access to a cache of weapons. Police say Mercer fled into the Pisgah National Forest on Sunday night after fatally shooting Officers James Holloway, 32, and Robert Kent, 41, during what began as a simple vehicle stop on a remote county highway.

“This individual is dangerous, well-armed, and highly skilled at evading capture,” said Sheriff Thomas Caldwell at a press conference Tuesday morning. “He has killed two of our own. We will not rest until he is found.”

The Deadly Encounter

According to dashcam footage reviewed by investigators, Officers Holloway and Kent pulled Mercer over near mile marker 74 after spotting his pickup truck swerving across lanes. When they approached the vehicle, Mercer allegedly stepped out, opened fire with an assault-style rifle, and struck both officers before they could draw their weapons.

Witnesses driving behind the patrol car described a chaotic scene. “I saw the flashes and heard the shots, then the guy just ran into the woods,” said motorist Angela White. “It all happened in seconds.”

Backup units arrived minutes later, but by then Mercer had disappeared into the thick Appalachian terrain, leaving his truck and several shell casings behind. Authorities say they later recovered maps, a survival knife, and military-grade rations inside the vehicle.

A Fugitive With Survival Skills

Mercer’s background has only heightened fears. A former Army reservist, he served one tour in Afghanistan and later worked sporadically in construction. Friends and neighbors described him as reclusive, distrustful of government, and obsessed with survivalist culture.

“He always talked about being ready for the end of the world,” said former neighbor Carl Dawson. “He had stockpiles of food, weapons, and gear. If anyone could vanish in those woods, it’s him.”

Law enforcement officials say Mercer has been on their radar before. He was investigated last year after making online threats against government officials but was never charged. Records also show a history of minor weapons violations.

“This is a man who knows the terrain, knows how to live off the land, and has shown he’s willing to kill,” Sheriff Caldwell warned.

Communities on Edge

The manhunt has cast a pall over rural communities near Asheville. Schools in three counties were closed Monday and Tuesday out of caution, and residents have been urged to stay indoors, lock doors, and report any suspicious activity. Roadblocks have been set up along key highways, and helicopters equipped with infrared technology have been circling the forest day and night.

“We are living in fear,” said Henderson County resident Martha Lewis. “Every sound in the woods makes you wonder if he’s out there.”

Authorities believe Mercer may be using abandoned hunting cabins or caves in the national forest to hide. “He has the skills to survive for weeks, even months, without resupply,” said FBI Special Agent Carla Jennings, who has joined the task force. “But make no mistake — we are closing in.”

Fallen Officers Remembered

The deaths of Officers Holloway and Kent have shaken the law enforcement community. Both men were described as dedicated officers and family men. Holloway, a five-year veteran of the force, leaves behind a wife and newborn daughter. Kent, a 15-year veteran, is survived by his wife and two teenage sons.

“They were the best of us,” said Police Chief Ronald Beck. “They put on the badge to protect their community, and they paid the ultimate price. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

Vigils have been held across Asheville, with residents lighting candles and leaving flowers at the police station. A memorial fund has been established to support the officers’ families.

Search Efforts Escalate

The manhunt has become one of the largest in the state’s recent history. More than 300 officers from local, state, and federal agencies are participating, including SWAT teams and K-9 units. Drones equipped with heat sensors have been deployed to scan dense areas, while tactical teams are combing ridgelines and valleys on foot.

Still, the terrain poses major challenges. “This is some of the toughest country you’ll ever search,” said Lt. Mark Evans of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. “Dense woods, steep slopes, endless hiding places. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.”

Authorities have warned that Mercer may attempt to break into homes or vehicles to secure supplies. Residents have been asked to check hunting cabins, barns, and outbuildings. A $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his capture.

Public Tension

The manhunt has ignited debates about survivalist subcultures and law enforcement preparedness. Some residents expressed frustration that a man with Mercer’s history was not more closely monitored. “We all knew he was unstable,” said Dawson. “This didn’t come out of nowhere.”

Civil liberties advocates, meanwhile, urged caution as police ramp up their presence. “We want justice for the fallen officers,” said attorney Laura Price. “But we also need to ensure residents’ rights are respected during this large-scale search.”

A City Waiting

As night falls, tension grows across the region. Checkpoints remain in place, and officers continue to sweep the forests with spotlights. For many, sleep is elusive.

“We just want this to end,” said Lewis, the Henderson County resident. “We want to feel safe again.”

For law enforcement, the mission is clear. “He can run, he can hide, but we will not stop,” Sheriff Caldwell declared. “He will be found, and he will answer for what he did.”

Until then, western North Carolina waits — a region on edge, haunted by the loss of two officers, and gripped by the fear of a fugitive still lurking in the shadows.