William Jeffrey Bowlin, a 60-year-old man from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, tragically died on August 14, 2022, from a gunshot wound to the chest. Bowlin, known to friends as Jeff, was a highly regarded contractor in the Outer Banks community and was well-loved by his family and friends. He was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and moved to North Carolina when he was eight years old. Bowlin was protecting a family member when he was shot.
The incident occurred in the gated Martin Points neighborhood, where Bowlin's daughter was involved in a tumultuous relationship with 30-year-old Shayne Michael Perry. On the night of the shooting, there was loud arguing outside Bowlin's house, and Bowlin went outside to check on his daughter. During the altercation, Perry shot Bowlin, who was later taken to the Outer Banks Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Shayne Michael Perry was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Bowlin's death. Perry, who had a history of assault against Bowlin's daughter, was found guilty of assaulting her earlier in the year and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. Perry took a plea deal for second-degree murder and was admitted to Central Prison in Raleigh on November 6, 2024.
The Bowlin family was devastated by the loss of Jeff, who was described as a good and decent man who always tried to help others. His wife, Kathrine Mears Bowlin, and their children, Alexis Theresa Bowlin, Olivia Katherine Bowlin, and Maxton Lee Bowlin, along with other relatives, mourned his passing. Jeff Bowlin's legacy as a loving family man and a dedicated friend continues to be remembered by those who knew him.
