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
5 dead including 3 children in Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, teenage shooter killed by a Good Samaritan
BEND, Ore. — Five people were reportedly killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, according to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement.
The reported shooting prompted a major emergency response involving police, fire crews, and emergency medical services.
Authorities issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m., warning of a large police presence at the elementary school and urging the public to avoid the area.
According to the information provided, four victims were killed at the school. Three of those victims were children, while the fourth was an adult. The suspected gunman, described in preliminary reports as a teenager, was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, had not been fully established in the information available.
Preliminary reports indicated that the suspected gunman was a teenager and was killed after being confronted by a Good Samaritan.
Earlier scanner traffic reportedly indicated that the suspect had been neutralized. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the individual who intervened may have been a father of a student at the school.
However, authorities had not publicly confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or independently verified the reported identity and role of the person who intervened.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, how the suspect was stopped, and whether the suspect acted alone.
The first police alert was issued at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday. It described a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and instructed the public to stay away from the area.
Fire and emergency medical services personnel were seen responding near the school as authorities worked to address the reported threat and assist those affected.
The shooting prompted urgent concern among families and the surrounding community, particularly after reports indicated that children were among the victims.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced a reunification site for students and their families at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97 in Bend, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Parents and guardians were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with students and receive further information.
Authorities urged families to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the school while emergency operations continued.
The reported shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at nearby schools. Parents received alerts indicating that Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary School had been placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The lockdowns were reported as law enforcement responded to Silver Rail Elementary and worked to secure the surrounding area.
Further information was needed to establish how long the lockdowns remained in effect and when normal school operations resumed.
Although preliminary information indicated five deaths, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, additional official confirmation is needed regarding the victims’ identities, the suspect’s identity, and the circumstances of the shooting.
The reported involvement of a Good Samaritan also requires confirmation from investigators.
This remains a developing story. Further details should be added as law enforcement and school officials release verified information about the shooting and the investigation.