Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Suspect in Road Rage Shooting

ANDREWS, N.C. — A road rage incident involving gunfire and a vehicle collision led to the arrest of Odis Zachary Luther in Cherokee County on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of the incident on US 19 near Glenn Drive, where Luther allegedly fired multiple shots at another vehicle and rammed it, causing a crash.

The incident began with an argument over possible stolen property, according to the victims. As the victims drove away, Luther pursued them in his vehicle along US Highway 19, firing six to seven shots and striking their vehicle from behind, forcing it to crash at the Glenn Drive intersection. All victims required medical attention and were transported to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital.

Sheriff’s deputies launched an immediate search for Luther. After hours of investigation, Lt. Mitch Morgan located a suspicious vehicle in the Marble community. Morgan observed Luther attempting to flee in a boat on a pond off Columbia Marble Plant Road. Deputies surrounded the pond, and Luther surrendered without incident.

Luther faces eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information to contact them at (828) 837-2589.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.