Avalon Pier Shooting: Suspect, Victims Identified

A shooting on July 31 at Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, left 19-year-old Zane Hughes dead and a 15-year-old boy injured; the latter was airlifted to Norfolk, Virginia, but returned to the pier the next day. Police arrested 16-year-old Henry Hargis, charging him with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon, and he is currently held in a juvenile detention facility. Authorities stated the incident was isolated and that there is no ongoing threat to the community. The State Bureau of Investigation and other agencies are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Local officials and residents expressed shock and sadness at the violence, emphasizing its rarity in the popular tourist area. The community's resilience was highlighted by the injured teen's return to the pier after the incident.