Tragedy at Avalon Pier: First Flight High School Student Zane Hughes Fatally Shot in Kill Devil Hills
KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. — A devastating act of gun violence has shaken the close-knit community of Kill Devil Hills and left the Outer Banks reeling, as authorities confirmed that 17-year-old Zane Hughes, a student at First Flight High School, was fatally shot on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The incident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Avalon Fishing Pier, a popular local spot frequented by tourists and locals alike.
A Day Turned Tragic
According to Assistant Police Chief Dana Harris of the Kill Devil Hills Police Department, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired at approximately 2:37 p.m. Law enforcement arrived at the scene within four minutes. Upon arrival, officers found Zane Hughes unresponsive. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, Zane was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another teenage male, whose identity has not been released due to age and privacy, was also injured during the incident. He sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for emergency treatment. His condition has since been stabilized following surgery.
Suspect in Custody
Authorities quickly apprehended the suspected shooter, Henry Hargis, also a student at First Flight High School. Witnesses reported seeing Hargis flee the scene shortly after the shooting. Kill Devil Hills police located and arrested him within a short time without further incident.
Hargis is currently in custody and is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm on educational property. He is being held at the Dare County Detention Center pending his court appearance. Investigators are still working to determine a motive behind the shooting, which they believe was not a random act.
A Community in Mourning
The loss of Zane Hughes has left a deep and painful void in the Outer Banks community. Known by peers and teachers as bright, thoughtful, and kind-hearted, Zane was an active member of the First Flight High School student body. He participated in extracurricular activities and was well-liked by classmates and faculty alike.
“He was the kind of student who lit up a room just by walking in,” one teacher shared. “It’s unfathomable that someone with so much potential and promise is gone.”
Students and staff at First Flight High School were informed of the tragedy Thursday evening. Grief counselors and support personnel have been made available to help students process the shock and sorrow of losing one of their own.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” said Dare County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight. “Our hearts are broken for Zane’s family, friends, and all who knew him. We are working closely with law enforcement and school staff to support everyone affected by this senseless act of violence.”
An Urgent Call for Peace and Prevention
The incident has sparked renewed conversations about school safety, youth mental health, and the urgent need for violence prevention measures in small towns and school communities alike. Parents, educators, and officials are calling for unity and immediate steps to prevent such tragedies from repeating.
“This is a wake-up call,” said one local parent. “It’s not just big cities. Gun violence is in our backyard now. Something has to be done — for our kids, for our community, for Zane.”
The Days Ahead
Plans are underway for a candlelight vigil in memory of Zane Hughes. Friends and loved ones will gather in front of First Flight High School in the coming days to honor his life, share memories, and mourn collectively.
Local authorities urge anyone with additional information about the incident or events leading up to it to contact the Kill Devil Hills Police Department at (252) 449-5337. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Line.
As the investigation continues, the town of Kill Devil Hills remains united in grief. Zane Hughes’s tragic death has left an indelible mark, not only on those who knew him personally, but on the wider community now grappling with the pain of an unthinkable loss.
Rest in peace, Zane Hughes. Your light will never be forgotten.
