KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. — A shooting at the Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills on Thursday afternoon has left one person dead, another injured, and a suspect in custody, according to Kill Devil Hills Assistant Chief of Police Dana Harris.

Zane Hughes Identified as Victim Killed in Avalon Fishing Pier Shooting in Kill Devil Hills

The incident occurred at approximately 2:37 p.m., when police received reports of gunfire in the pier’s parking lot. Officers responded swiftly, arriving on the scene in under four minutes.

One individual was pronounced dead at the scene, and another victim—identified as having sustained a gunshot wound to the leg—was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for emergency surgery.

According to Assistant Chief Harris, the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived.

However, thanks to witness-provided descriptions of both the individual and the suspect’s vehicle, law enforcement was able to locate and apprehend the alleged shooter in a nearby town.

The arrest was made by Southern Shores Police with support from multiple agencies. Harris confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.

“This is something I’ve never had to deal with in my 48 years of law enforcement,” Harris said, noting the emotional toll of the incident and the active nature of the ongoing investigation.

A witness who works at the pier reported that the shooting may have followed an argument in the parking lot.

According to the witness, the suspect circled the lot in his vehicle before opening fire, fatally shooting a boy in the chest.

Another person nearby—reportedly not related to the deceased—was also struck and injured.

Helen Ginter, speaking to Channel2 NOW, shared that her friend’s nephew was the person shot in the leg. “He was on vacation, fishing at the pier, when he was shot,” she said. “He’s now in surgery, and we are so thankful he’s expected to recover. The boy standing next to him—someone he didn’t know—was killed.”

Another account from a woman named Rebecca described a distressing phone call from a friend named Chrissy, who witnessed the aftermath. “Chrissy just called me bawling,” she told Channel2 NOW. “She said the boy died in her arms. He was covered in a sheet. She’s a wreck. At first, she thought the sounds were fireworks until she realized it was gunshots.”

The Avalon Fishing Pier is a well-known destination in the Outer Banks, frequented by both locals and tourists for fishing and beach access.

Republican congressional candidate Austin Ayers offered his condolences via social media, writing:
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this incident unfolding in Kill Devil Hills right now. I am being briefed on the situation. While information is very limited, please respect all first responders at the Avalon Pier. They are doing their job. If they request you leave the area, please do. Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911 immediately.”

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.

The identity of the suspect and the deceased victim has not yet been released.