Kill Devil Hills police investigate unrelated shots fired; stabbing in Avalon area

Daniel Duke booking photo. [Kill Devil Hills police]

Kill Devil Hills police are investigating two separate incidents in the Avalon area of town, one involving gunshots fired in the air and the other a stabbing at Avalon Pier.

The first incident ended in the arrest of a man who has been charged twice before with gun violations on the Outer Banks, police say.

That incident happened Monday about 11:30 p.m., with officers called to investigate a shots fired on E. Avalon Drive.

A witness described a black pickup truck with a male driver operating in the area who had fired a gun in the air, town police Capt. John Towler said in a news release. Officers stopped the vehicle a short time later in the area of 2nd Street.

The driver, Daniel Charles Duke II, 36, of Camden, and two passengers were in the vehicle, Towler said.

Nags Head Police K-9 “Bak” alerted on the truck and a subsequent search resulted in the discovery of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and a Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun, the release said.

Duke was determined to be impaired and was ultimately arrested for DWI, cocaine possession and driving while revoked, the release said. Additional charges are pending.

One passenger, Nicole Mullens, was charged with possession of a schedule I controlled substance and carrying a concealed weapon after consuming alcohol, Towler said. Mullens was placed under a $3,500 secured bond and Duke under a $15,000 for their respective charges.

Nicole Mullens booking photo. [Kill Devil Hills police]

Duke was charged earlier this year in connection with two incidents of firing gunshots within town, one on Jan. 15 on West Durham Street and the other in November 2020 on East 3rd Street.

In an unrelated incident on Tuesday night, Kill Devil Hills police were called to the Avalon Fishing Pier at 2111 N. Virginia Dare Trail for a report of a victim stabbed in the neck.

An 18-year-old man on scene had been cut on the neck with a knife, Towler said. The man was taken to Outer Banks Hospital for treatment.

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the stabbing and no further information was released.

“The Department is grateful for the assistance of surrounding agencies in both cases,” Towler said.