Teen Charged With Murder After Deadly Shooting At Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills
A peaceful afternoon on the Outer Banks of North Carolina turned into chaos when 16-year-old Henry Lee Hargis allegedly opened fire at Avalon Fishing Pier, killing 19-year-old Zane Hughes and injuring a 15-year-old boy in what authorities call a targeted and isolated attack.
THE SHOOTING
Just before 2:40 p.m. Thursday, multiple 911 calls flooded Dare Central Communications with reports of gunfire in the Avalon Pier parking lot—a popular fishing and tourist destination in Kill Devil Hills. When first responders arrived, Zane Hughes of Colington was pronounced dead on the scene. A 15-year-old victim was shot in the leg and airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he is expected to survive.
THE ARREST
Within 45 minutes of the shooting, police from nearby Southern Shores pulled over a vehicle and took Henry Lee Hargis into custody without resistance. Hargis, a First Flight High School student and local resident, is currently being held in juvenile detention while his case is prepped for adult superior court.
CHARGES FILED
Hargis faces two major charges which includes First-Degree Murder and Assault With a Deadly Weapon With Intent to Kill, Inflicting Serious Injury (ADWIKISI).
Bladenboro Woman Exposed in Racist DM Audio and Later Arrested for Threats
The District Attorney’s Office confirmed that due to the seriousness of the crimes—both Class A–E felonies under North Carolina law—Hargis’s case will be moved to adult court. A grand jury will convene on August 11, with a probable cause hearing scheduled for August 12.
WHO IS HENRY LEE HARGIS?
Sources say Hargis had a known presence at First Flight High School, living just miles from Avalon Pier. While officials have not confirmed any past behavioral issues, unverified social media posts allege prior threats and confrontations.
A Facebook user named Laine Dinwiddie publicly called out the system for failing the victims in this case. In a post about Hargis, she wrote:
“THIS IS THE SAME 16-YEAR-OLD KID WHO WAS KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL FOR 3D PRINTING GUN PARTS AND THREATENING TO SHOOT UP THE SCHOOL. THE GUN HE MADE AT AGE 14 WAS STOLEN FROM HIS HOUSE AND SOMEHOW RECOVERED IN ELIZABETH CITY A FEW MONTHS LATER.
HE WAS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT’S RADAR. HE HAD 3D-IMAGED PARTS TO BUILD AN AR. HE HAD AN ANKLE MONITOR ON AT ONE POINT AND WAS RELEASED.”
Dinwiddie also included several photos from Hargis’s alleged Instagram account, showing him flashing guns, money, and drugs while pinning rap music to his stories.
Hargis remains in custody without bond.
