News Summary
A shooting incident at the Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills has left a 19-year-old dead and a 15-year-old critically injured. The police quickly apprehended the suspect, a 16-year-old boy, who now faces serious charges. The community is reeling as they come to terms with the violence that erupted at a local gathering place.
KILL DEVIL HILLS, NORTH CAROLINA – A tragic shooting incident occurred on Thursday afternoon around 2:37 p.m. at the Avalon Fishing Pier parking lot, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old and leaving a 15-year-old victim critically injured. The police responded swiftly, arriving at the scene within four minutes of receiving emergency calls reporting shots fired.
The deceased has been identified as Zane Hughes from Colington, North Carolina. He was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second victim, a 15-year-old boy, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for urgent medical care. Fortunately, the 15-year-old has shown remarkable resilience and returned to the pier the following day to continue fishing, even though he has a bullet lodged in his thigh.
Authorities believe this shooting was an isolated and targeted incident, posing no ongoing threat to public safety. The suspect in this tragic event has been identified as Henry Lee Hargis, a 16-year-old resident of Kill Devil Hills. Hargis was apprehended at 3:19 p.m., less than an hour after the shooting, during a traffic stop conducted by the Southern Shores Police.
Hargis now faces serious legal consequences, having been charged with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon
Witnesses reported being startled by gunfire and described scenes of people running for cover as chaos erupted at the pier. The shooting has deeply shocked the local community, which is grappling with grief and concern, especially for the family of the deceased.
The mother of the 15-year-old victim indicated that her son was merely a bystander caught in a dispute between teenagers, highlighting the tragic nature of the incident. In the aftermath of the shooting, local law enforcement has recovered a vehicle and a weapon believed to have been involved in the crime. Information from witnesses played a crucial role in enabling authorities to apprehend the suspect shortly after the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, with Kill Devil Hills Police coordinating efforts with multiple agencies, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. As the inquiry unfolds, police have stated that they are working to maintain the integrity of the investigation and have limited details available for release.
Community members and family members continue to express their sorrow and support, particularly for the family mourning Zane Hughes. The tragic events of this day have left an indelible mark on the local area, highlighting the urgent issues surrounding youth violence and public safety.
As authorities continue to gather evidence and statements, they emphasize the importance of community cooperation. They urge anyone with additional information regarding the incident to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation and help bring a sense of justice for those affected by this tragic occurrence.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Shooting Incident at Avalon Fishing Pier Leaves One Dead and Another Critical
Shooting Incident at Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills
Shooting at Avalon Fishing Pier Leaves One Dead, Another Injured
Additional Resources
- WAVY: Kill Devil Hills Community Still Shaken After Fatal Shooting
- Wikipedia: Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
- WTKR: Teen Seriously Hurt After Getting Shot at Avalon Fishing Pier
- Google Search: Kill Devil Hills shooting
- Hindustan Times: Kill Devil Hills Shooting Reports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Carolina
- The Coastland Times: One Dead, One Airlifted in Shooting at Avalon Pier
- Google News: Kill Devil Hills Avalon Pier shooting
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
