Deadly Shooting at Avalon Pier Under Investigation in Kill Devil Hills

Deadly Shooting at Avalon Pier Under Investigation in Kill Devil Hills

KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC — A sudden act of violence shattered the afternoon calm at Avalon Pier on Thursday, July 31, 2025, leaving one person dead, another seriously injured, and a coastal community in shock. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the incident, emphasizing that it appears to have been an isolated occurrence.

📅 Incident Overview

According to officials, 911 calls reporting shots fired came in around 2:37 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to Avalon Fishing Pier, a well-known Outer Banks landmark along North Virginia Dare Trail and a local hub for fishing and tourism. First responders arrived within approximately four minutes of the initial alerts

🎯 Victims and Response

Upon arrival, law enforcement and first responders found two individuals with gunshot injuries. One victim succumbed at the scene, while the other was rushed via Dare MedFlight to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for critical care . As of the latest reports, neither victim has been publicly identified pending next-of-kin notification

🚓 Suspect Apprehension and Investigation

The alleged shooter fled before officers arrived; however, witness accounts enabled a swift identification. Southern Shores Police Department apprehended the suspect shortly after the incident, recovering a weapon in the process. Authorities emphasized at a press conference that there is “no threat to the community at this time”

A multi-agency response is leading the investigation, including the Kill Devil Hills Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the District Attorney’s Office, Dare County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol, and municipal police departments from Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Southern Shores

🕵️‍♀️ What We Know — and What Matters

• Location: Parking area adjacent to Avalon Fishing Pier, Kill Devil Hills, NC

• Date & Time: Thursday, July 31, 2025 — approximately 2:37 p.m.

• Casualties: One fatality on scene; one person critically injured and airlifted to Norfolk

• Suspect: Fled initially, later detained in Southern Shores; weapon recovered

• Investigation: Ongoing, with full cooperation across state and local agencies; SBI involvement ensures neutrality and depth

Assistant Chief of Police Dana Harris described the shooting as an isolated event and noted that in nearly five decades of service, he could not recall a similar occurrence on the Outer Banks

🌊 Community Reaction and Broader Implications

Avalon Pier is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, known as much for its pier fishing as its laid-back coastal atmosphere. The violence in a typically tranquil setting has rattled the Outer Banks community, bringing renewed focus to public safety and emergency preparedness in tourist spaces.

Local leaders and residents are urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in the ongoing investigation. The swift multi-jurisdictional response is being credited with quickly restoring security—but the emotional impact lingers.

📝 Summary Table