Black Bear Attack in North Carolina Outer Banks Results in Fatalities Among People and Officials
Deadly Black Bear Attack Shocks North Carolina’s Outer Banks: Multiple Fatalities Reported
June 5, 2025 — Outer Banks, North Carolina — A horrifying black bear attack in North Carolina’s Outer Banks has left multiple people dead, including a wildlife officer, marking one of the most shocking and deadly wildlife incidents in the state’s recent history.
The attack occurred Wednesday evening near a secluded campsite in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, an area known for its dense woodlands and growing black bear population. Authorities have confirmed that four individuals were killed — two campers, one child, and one responding wildlife official — while two others were critically injured and are being treated at a local hospital.
Emergency responders were dispatched after a panicked 911 call reported a large bear attacking a family near their tent. When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered a highly aggressive adult black bear that charged at both civilians and first responders.
According to Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie, the responding wildlife officer, identified as 38-year-old Marcus Hill, was fatally wounded while trying to draw the bear away from injured campers. “Officer Hill died a hero,” Doughtie said. “He gave his life trying to protect others.” 
The bear, estimated to weigh over 350 pounds, was eventually tracked and euthanized by a specialized team from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Wildlife experts are analyzing the bear’s remains to determine if it was sick or behaving abnormally.
“This is not typical black bear behavior,” said Dr. Laura Kinney, a large carnivore specialist with the NCWRC. “Black bears are usually skittish and avoid humans. When a bear becomes this aggressive, something has gone very wrong — whether it’s food habituation, injury, illness, or extreme stress.”
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. “It came out of nowhere,” said David Reynolds, a nearby camper who helped pull a child to safety. “People were yelling, throwing things, doing anything to get the bear to back off — but it wasn’t afraid.”
Officials believe food left unsecured at the campsite may have drawn the bear into close proximity to humans. Open coolers, discarded wrappers, and food remains were found strewn across the area, suggesting the bear had become habituated to human food sources.
The incident has prompted immediate closures of all camping and hiking areas within a 10-mile radius of the attack site. Park rangers and wildlife officers are patrolling the region to monitor other bear activity and prevent further encounters.
Governor Roy Cooper released a statement expressing deep sorrow for the victims and honoring Officer Hill’s bravery. “This tragic event has shaken the entire state,” the statement read. “We mourn the loss of life, and we will ensure every measure is taken to understand what happened and keep our communities safe.”
Locals in the Outer Banks, a popular summer destination known for its beaches and wildlife, are in shock. “We’ve always known bears were around, but never imagined something like this could happen,” said Marie Watson, a resident of nearby Manteo.
Wildlife officials urge all visitors to the area to practice extreme caution, never leave food outside, and report any bear sightings to authorities immediately. A hotline has been set up for tips and information, and grief counselors are being made available to survivors and local residents.
The deadly attack has reignited the debate over human encroachment on natural habitats and the need for stricter safety guidelines in bear-populated areas. While black bear populations have been increasing across the Southeast, fatal attacks remain rare — making this event an alarming outlier.
As the community mourns the loss of life, including a dedicated public servant, North Carolina officials vow to conduct a full investigation and take action to prevent another such tragedy.
