(Avalon Pier/Facebook)
Police have identified the suspect and victims in Thursday’s fatal shooting at the Avalon Fishing Pier, a popular tourist spot in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, leaving the tight-knit beach town in shock. Authorities said the shooting claimed the life of 19-year-old Zane Hughes, a resident of Colington, and injured a 15-year-old bystander who was shot in the leg.
Police identified the suspect as 16-year-old Henry Lee Hargis of Kill Devil Hills. He faces charges of first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. Due to his age, Hargis is being held in a juvenile detention facility, the Kill Devil Hills Police Department said.
Assistant Police Chief Dana Harris released a statement addressing the tragedy and its impact on the community. “These are not just statistics; all are a part of someone’s family, someone’s friend, someone’s neighbor,” Harris said.
According to a GoFundMe set up for the younger victim, he was shot in the thigh, and, after being hospitalized, “the bullet will stay in his leg permanently” because it is near his femoral artery.
Harris emphasized that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. However, she added that the investigation is far from complete.
“We are fully committed to a thorough investigation, and a thorough investigation takes time,” Harris said. “Our detectives are processing evidence, interviewing witnesses, working closely with partnering agencies, and doing everything possible to understand exactly what happened and why.”
Kill Devil Hills police said they were called to the pier around 2:37 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses reported the suspect fleeing the scene in a vehicle, and license plate information provided by bystanders helped authorities identify him quickly. Hargis was stopped near Southern Shores and taken into custody without further incident.
The beachside community has been grappling with the violent event, but police and local leaders are urging resilience. “Kill Devil Hills is a strong, compassionate, and supportive community,” Harris said. “We are neighbors who look out for one another, and we will not allow violence to define our community. And in times like these, that’s what will carry us forward.”
In a moment of hope amid the tragedy, the 15-year-old bystander who was injured returned to the pier on Friday to go fishing. Avalon Pier shared on social media that the teen reunited with the employee who assisted him as he waited for an ambulance.
“This community is currently doing some serious soul-searching from this incident, but the level of relief to see this young man come through the door this morning has truly lifted our spirits,” Avalon Pier wrote.
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