Kill Devil Hills mayor calls for unity, support in wake of Avalon Pier shooting

From SamWalkerOBXNews.com

Urging patience, unity, compassion, and community support as the town mourns, Kill Devil Hills Mayor John Windley issued a statement following Thursday’s fatal shooting at Avalon Pier.

A 19-year-old Colington man was killed, a 15-year-old boy from Pittsburgh was wounded, and a 16-year-old from Kill Devil Hills is in custody following the shooting.

Full text of Windley’s statement posted Saturday on the town’s Facebook page:

“𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑𝑦.”

“𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒.”

“𝐼’𝑚 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑘.”

“𝑊ℎ𝑦?”

These are only a few of the comments that we have heard over the past few days, from our neighbors, our coworkers, even thoughts we’ve had ourselves.

We are a community in shock, and are just trying to comprehend a senseless act of violence.

When I first heard about the incident at Avalon Pier, the world seemed to stop.

All the noise of a busy Outer Banks summer went silent and was drowned out by sirens and complete disbelief.

My thoughts were instantly on the victims and their families, and the safety of the public and our first responders.

Then, like everyone, thoughts turned to my family – were they safe?

Family, neighbors, community: all of us in Kill Devil Hills have never taken these words for granted.

All of our kids grow up together – going off to kindergarten, camping in scouts, riding the bus to school, participating in dance, playing in band, or stepping onto a Parks and Rec ballfield for the first time.

Our kids are also our community’s kids, and as a community, we celebrate their achievements.

Sometimes we even must mourn their loss.

Although we grieve, we do not grieve alone. We are here for each other, standing in support, united in strength.

Our Board expresses its appreciation to our Police and Fire Departments, along with Dare EMS and other numerous law enforcement and first response agencies that acted quickly to contain the situation and protect the public.

We are indebted to these public servants who risk their lives to protect the lives of others.

I know that people still have lots of questions. I do too.

Investigations take time to get questions answered, and we want to make sure that things aren’t rushed.

We want to honor the victims while pursuing the justice that they deserve, and that will take time.

On behalf of our Board of Commissioners and the Town of Kill Devil Hills, I appreciate everyone reaching out and asking how they can help.

Check in on your neighbor, let your friends know you’re there for them, volunteer in programs that support our children: make a difference in Kill Devil Hills.