North Carolina – In a disturbing incident in North Carolina, a 16-year-old boy, identified only as H. Hargis, has been arrested after fatally shooting a 19-year-old, identified as Z. Hughes, at one of the region’s most popular attractions. Authorities say the suspect, already known for dangerous behavior including threats of a school shooting and printing parts for firearms with a 3D printer, opened fire on July 31, leaving one dead and another injured.
The juvenile, Hargis, faces charges of murder in the killing of 19-year-old Hughes. Police also confirmed that a 15-year-old was struck in the leg by a ricocheting bullet and required emergency airlift to a hospital in Virginia. That victim has since been released. According to officials, the shooting stemmed from an ongoing feud between Hargis and Hughes, both former students at a local high school. Witnesses reported that Hargis had been circling the parking lot before opening fire. Police quickly tracked him down after he fled the scene. A firearm, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered from his car. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Officials confirmed that the conflict between the two young men led directly to the violence. Assistant Police Chief D. Harris, a veteran of nearly five decades in law enforcement, called the shooting unlike anything he had ever seen. The tragedy has sparked outrage in the community, with many pointing to missed warning signs. Social media posts allege that Hargis had previously been expelled from school after printing 3D gun parts and threatening a shooting. Reports also claim he had once worn an ankle monitor and had built a firearm at just 14 years old.
One resident, L. Dinwiddie, wrote that the suspect had been “swept under the rug for about a year now,” accusing multiple systems — from education to mental health and law enforcement — of failing to act before the tragedy. Dinwiddie added that “there were adults in the room that clearly knew that he was a threat to society but did nothing.” The victim, Hughes, was known for his academic promise and bright future. A community foundation had awarded him the inaugural scholarship just months earlier, celebrating his achievements as a senior. Friends and neighbors described him as ambitious and kind, leaving many devastated that his life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting local authorities as the case moves forward. Hargis remains in custody while prosecutors consider the full range of charges. For the community known for its scenic beaches and family-friendly attractions, the shooting at popular attraction for has left deep scars. A day of summer leisure ended in gunfire, leaving one family mourning a beloved son and another grappling with the actions of a troubled teenager.
