Raul Alberto Rivera dies in fatal Pisgah Forest shooting

Raul Alberto Rivera dies in fatal Pisgah Forest shooting

Fatal Pisgah Forest shooting death of Raul Alberto Rivera

Officials have confirmed the identification of the man killed in an officer-involved incident in Pisgah Forest over the weekend, with authorities naming him as 30-year-old Raul Alberto Rivera. The event took place in early July 2025, specifically early Sunday morning, and occurred at a Pizza Hut parking area in the community.

According to a statement issued by the local sheriff’s office, the initial call dispatched to the scene was a welfare check. A confidential law enforcement source, who requested anonymity, explained that the incident began with a domestic dispute involving Rivera and his partner, which led to a 911 call due to concerns about self-harm. Transylvania County authorities were notified by Buncombe County dispatch and arrived to find Rivera in the parking lot.

Upon arrival, reports indicate that Rivera opened fire on the deputies, causing damage to one of their vehicles. In response, the officers fired back, resulting in Rivera’s death at the location. No law enforcement personnel were reported to be injured during the encounter.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is now taking the lead on this case, and Rivera’s body has been transported to the medical examiner’s office for a full autopsy. Standard procedure has resulted in two of the involved deputies being placed on administrative leave.

Further details reveal that Rivera had been listed on the state’s sex offender registry for an offense that occurred outside of North Carolina in 2017. State records show no outstanding violations related to his registration. The ongoing investigation by the SBI continues to gather more information.