Crime
1 dead, another wounded after shooting at Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills
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.
Crime
Aleksandr Aleksand Shablykin Fatally Stabs Mother Zoya Shablykin and Three Others at Key Peninsula Home
Five people, including the suspect, are dead following a violent stabbing incident and subsequent deputy-involved shooting Tuesday morning in the 14000 block of 87th Avenue Court Northwest near Gig Harbor, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
Authorities identified the suspect as 32-year-old Aleksandr Aleksand Shablykin.
Investigators say the incident began as a reported protection order violation and escalated into a deadly stabbing attack in a residential cul-de-sac.
Dispatchers received the first 911 call at approximately 8:41 a.m. reporting an “order violation in progress.” According to the sheriff’s office, an adult male had gone to a residence despite a no-contact protection order involving a female occupant of the home.
Deputies later clarified that although a protection order had been granted, it had not yet been formally served to the suspect and therefore was not legally enforceable at the time.
Deputies were en route to serve the order when the situation rapidly escalated.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., additional emergency calls reported that the man was actively stabbing individuals outside the home. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with at least one victim attacked in the middle of the street in front of multiple bystanders.
A deputy arrived on scene minutes later.
According to Officer Shelbie Boyd, spokesperson for the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT), gunfire was reported at 9:33 a.m.
“We have the adult male suspect who was shot by the deputy,” Boyd said during a press briefing.
Shablykin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding the exchange of gunfire but confirmed that the investigation remains active.
Deputies located four adult victims at the scene.
Three were pronounced dead at the residence. A fourth victim was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to their injuries.
One of the victims was identified as 52-year-old Zoya Shablykin, the suspect’s mother.
Authorities stated that relationships between the suspect and the additional victims remain under investigation.
Witness accounts suggest that neighbors may have intervened in an attempt to stop the attack.
Court records linked to the residence show that in April 2025, Zoya Shablykin petitioned for a protection order against her adult son. The order was granted in May.
In her petition, she alleged ongoing threats, harassment, and erratic behavior, including prior physical aggression. The filing referenced concerns about his mental health and stated he had previously pushed and threatened her.
The protection order prohibited the son from possessing weapons and from coming within 1,000 feet of his mother, her home, vehicle, or workplace. The order also required him to comply with a treatment plan and prescribed medications.
Investigators confirmed that although the order had been approved by the court, it had not yet been formally served to the suspect at the time of the incident. Deputies were attempting to serve the documentation when the stabbing occurred.
Court records indicate Shablykin had multiple prior contacts with law enforcement dating back to 2020, primarily involving traffic-related offenses, including driving without a valid license and refusing to identify himself during traffic stops. Records reflect at least 14 separate cases. A 2023 trespassing charge was dismissed.
A family acquaintance told media outlets that other immediate family members were not present at the residence during the attack and were safe elsewhere at the time of the incident.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Pierce County Force Investigation Team are continuing to investigate both the stabbing deaths and the deputy-involved shooting. Authorities have not yet released the names of the additional victims pending notification of next of kin.
Officials described the event as a tragic escalation of a domestic situation that unfolded rapidly despite law enforcement response efforts.
Further updates are expected as the investigation proceeds.