12/08/2025
Lots of people donated to the other gofundme. This kid was totally innocent.
This Thursday (8/14) is Billy’s 16th birthday.
Billy should not have had to leave the OBX with a bullet in his leg — a reminder he’ll carry for the rest of his life. That is not the kind of souvenir anyone wants.
We’ve heard people say, “He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” That’s not true. He was in the right place — fishing, eating, and playing games with his little brother, making OBX memories. The timing, sadly, was wrong. He was prepping bikes for the trip back to the rental when the shots were fired, but because his brother wanted a few more casts, he wasn’t in harm’s way. Thank God.
We’re throwing Billy a birthday party Thursday night, and when we told his parents, they said they wanted to be here. We found them a place to stay, and their bags are packed — they’re heading back!
The family is deeply grateful for the community’s support, through kind words and donations. This party is not a fundraiser — it’s a celebration. The Avalon family is pitching in to make it special. I’m giving him $16 in a card, and others are adding $16 to his GoFundMe. If you’d like to drop something off at the pier, you can — but words of encouragement mean just as much.
It’s an impromptu party, and details are still coming together, but Thursday night is Open Mic Night, and Monte and some of the best OBX musicians are ready to get the party started.
Let’s make sure Billy knows we care — and that the OBX is still a place for great memories.
Requested GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/0b736d63