OUTER BANKS, N.C. — A suspect is in custody and accused of killing one person and injuring another during a shooting at the Avalon Fishing Pier Thursday, according to the Kill Devil Hills Police Department.
The shooting happened around 2:37 p.m. in the fishing pier's parking lot, Kill Devil Hills Asst. Police Chief Dana Harris shared during a press conference.
First responders were at the scene four minutes after the call, where officers and Dare County EMS found two people who were shot, according to a press release issued after the press conference. One person was pronounced dead, while another was medflighted to Norfolk due to serious injuries.
Full press conference: Police share information on how law enforcement found Avalon Pier shooting suspect
Harris says the accused shooter drove away, but law enforcement used descriptions from witnesses to identify the suspect. He was taken into custody in Southern Shores, and there's no current threat to the community, Harris added.
The suspect was taken into custody after a traffic stop by the Southern Shores Police Department, the press release read.
More information from police is limited as officials work to notify the next-of-kin of the person who died.
Earlier Thursday, a father told News 3 his teenage son is the person who was seriously hurt in the shooting.
The 15-year-old was shot in the thigh, the father told our Outer Banks neighborhood news reporter Will Thomas. He says the teen was medflighted to Norfolk in critical condition.
The father shared that he and his family were visiting the Outer Banks from Pennsylvania. His son was fishing at the pier, like he had been doing all week.
Watch more: Bystanders recall running for cover during reported Avalon Pier shooting
There is still a large presence at the pier as of 5 p.m. Beach access is closed to the public.
Watch more: Father says his teen son is in critical condition after Avalon Fishing Pier shooting
Bystanders told News 3 they heard gunshots and ran for cover in the dunes.
Kill Devil Hills Police Department said they received help from multiple agencies, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the District Attorney’s Office North Carolina Highway Patrol, Dare County EMS, Dare County Sheriff’s Office, Kill Devil Hills Fire Department, Kitty Hawk Police Department, Nags Head Police Department and Southern Shores Police Department.
The shooting is still under investigation.
