Outer Banks, N.C. — Authorities have apprehended a suspect in connection with a shooting at Avalon Fishing Pier that left one person dead and another critically injured. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon in the pier’s parking lot, prompting a rapid police and emergency response.
Kill Devil Hills Assistant Police Chief Dana Harris reported that officers arrived just four minutes after the shooting was reported at approximately 2:37 p.m. Responders discovered two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. While one victim was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was airlifted to a hospital in Norfolk for treatment of serious injuries.
Witnesses provided descriptions that enabled law enforcement to track down the alleged shooter, who fled the scene. The suspect was later arrested following a traffic stop executed by police in Southern Shores. Harris assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
As investigators work to notify the deceased’s family, details surrounding the victims have emerged. A father disclosed that his 15-year-old son was the individual critically hurt during the incident. The teen, visiting from Pennsylvania with family, had been fishing at the pier prior to the shooting and suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh.
The presence of law enforcement remains notable at Avalon Fishing Pier, with beach access currently restricted. Bystanders recounted hearing gunfire and hurriedly seeking cover in nearby dunes as chaos ensued.
Multiple agencies have joined the investigation, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and various local police and emergency departments. The shooting is still being thoroughly examined, and authorities continue to gather information to piece together the circumstances leading to the violence.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the shock of this tragic event, emphasizing the need for safety and vigilance within public spaces.