Murder-suicide reported in Kill Devil Hills

Published 2:11 pm Thursday, September 15, 2022

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The Kill Devil Hills Police Department has reported a murder-suicide that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the 200 block of Burns Drive.

According to a KDHPD press release, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at around 4:15 p.m., Dare County Communications (911) received a call about a shooting that had just occurred on Burns Drive in Kill Devil Hills. Upon arrival, officers discovered two individuals who had been fatally shot at a residence.

“Based on circumstances at the scene, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was called for technical assistance and worked together with Kill Devil Hills detectives to piece together what happened,” stated the release. “While aspects of the investigation are ongoing, the Department can confirm this was a case of a murder-suicide.”

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KDHPD stated the victim, Jennifer L. Hultzman, 49, lived at the Burns Drive residence with several roommates including the suspect, Tommy Pursley, 63.

“Both Hultzman and Pursley had lived on the Outer Banks for many years. For reasons that remain unclear, Mr. Pursley shot Ms. Hultzman on the 2nd floor front porch then entered the residence and shot himself,” stated the KDHPD press release. “The weapon was a 9 mm InterArms semiautomatic handgun that belonged to Mr. Pursley. Mr. Pursley and Ms. Hultzman did not have a relationship beyond being roommates for approximately 5 years.”

KDHPD expressed thanks to the SBI’s Crime Scene Unit assisting in this investigation.

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