‘NCIS’ Shocker: [Spoiler] Killed Off After 18 Seasons in 500th Episode Twist

NCIS delivered a jaw-dropping moment fans won’t soon forget.

In the hit CBS drama’s milestone 500th episode, longtime character Leon Vance — played by Rocky Carroll, 61 — was shockingly killed off after 18 seasons, per Page Six.

The episode begins with the agency in crisis, facing shutdown amid a widening scandal. Vance refuses to back down, determined to protect his team and uncover the truth. But what initially appears to be a bomb threat turns out to be a diversion.

The real danger is much closer.

An agent working alongside Vance is revealed to be part of a smuggling conspiracy — and in a sudden betrayal, he turns and shoots Vance.

For a brief moment, it appears Vance might survive thanks to a bulletproof vest. However, the show later confirms his fate in a haunting final sequence, where he’s guided toward death in a symbolic encounter tied to Dr. “Ducky” Mallard.

“It was basically presented to me that the studio and the network wanted to do something really spectacular, really big, and something that would really send shockwaves through the NCIS fan base and the community,” NCIS Executive Producer Steven D. Binder told TV Insider.

Within moments of the shocking scene, fans took to social media to sound off.

“I cried like a baby. He was like a family member as I have been watching from the beginning of show,” wrote one miffed fan on social media.

“Why??,” questioned another on the same post. “The writers couldn’t think of ANYTHING else? He was an original and great actor- part of the TEAM! It keeps changing and it makes it hard to keep watching- I love NCIS and have watched for years- will still watch but not the same.”