Crime
Henry Hargis Identified as Suspect in Avalon Fishing Pier Shooting in Kill Devil Hills
KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. — Authorities have identified Henry Hargis, a student at First Flight High School, as the suspect in a deadly shooting that took place Thursday afternoon, July 31, in the parking lot of the Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills.
Zane Hughes Identified as Victim Killed in Avalon Fishing Pier Shooting in Kill Devil Hills
The incident left one teenager dead and another seriously injured.
According to Kill Devil Hills Assistant Chief of Police Dana Harris, officers were dispatched to the pier at approximately 2:37 p.m. following reports of gunfire.
Police arrived on scene in under four minutes.
One male victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while a second victim—also a male—was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for emergency surgery.
The suspect, who had fled the scene before officers arrived, was quickly identified based on witness statements and vehicle descriptions.
He was apprehended shortly thereafter by Southern Shores Police with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies.
Harris confirmed the situation is now contained and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the shooting stemmed from a possible altercation. One pier employee stated that the suspect drove around the parking lot before opening fire, striking one victim in the chest.
A second boy, believed to be on vacation and fishing at the pier, was shot in the leg.
The victims are believed to be students from First Flight High School, and the shooting has left the local community deeply shaken.
An emotional witness told Channel2 NOW that one of the victims, a young boy, died in the arms of a bystander named Chrissy. “She called me bawling,” said the source, “She thought it was fireworks at first—then she realized what had happened.” Chrissy reportedly saw the child covered with a sheet, and described the scene as traumatic.
Another witness, Helen Ginter, shared on social media that her friend’s nephew, the boy who was shot in the leg, is currently in surgery. “Please pray for my friend’s nephew,” she wrote. “He was just fishing while on vacation. We’re thankful he’s going to be okay.”
Due to the active investigation and the scene still being processed, the Avalon Fishing Pier parking lot remains blocked off, and no one is being allowed to leave until further notice.
Assistant Chief Harris, a veteran with 48 years of law enforcement experience, stated that he had “never encountered an incident like this” in his career, and called the shooting an isolated incident that is still under active investigation.
In response to the tragedy, Austin Ayers, a Republican congressional candidate for North Carolina’s 3rd District, expressed condolences. “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this incident,” he said. “Please respect first responders at Avalon Pier as they do their jobs. Remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911.”
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending family notifications.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.