Suspect Charged in North Carolina Dockside Shooting That Left 3 Dead, 8 Injured
A dockside restaurant in Southport, North Carolina became the scene of a horrific mass shooting Saturday night, leaving three dead and eight others injured after a lone gunman opened fire from a boat. Authorities say the suspect is a U.S. military veteran who claimed to be suffering from PTSD.
The alleged gunman, identified as Nigel Max Edge, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Southport Police Chief Todd Coring confirmed in a press conference that the shooting appeared to be premeditated.
“We believe that this was a targeted location,” Coring said. “He acted in what we call a ‘lone wolf.’ He acted alone. This is highly premeditated from what we are seeing at this time, and we feel that there are no other threats to our community, that we do have someone in custody.”
According to officials, the violence began just after 9:30 p.m. at the American Fish Company, located at 150 Yacht Basin Drive. Witnesses and victims described a terrifying scene as a small boat pulled up to the dock, paused momentarily, and then erupted in gunfire aimed at patrons seated outside.
Three people were killed instantly, and at least one victim remains in critical condition. The suspect fled the scene by boat, heading toward the Intracoastal Waterway and the nearby town of Oak Island.
Just after 10:00 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a man matching the shooter’s description at a public boat ramp on NE 55th Street in Oak Island. The suspect was detained without incident and turned over to local law enforcement.
Edge was previously known as Sean William DeBevoise. He authored a book titled Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation, in which he described his military service and personal struggles after returning home.
In a biographical note attached to the book, the suspect wrote, “The attacks on 9/11 would decide my future for me. I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and deployed 3 times; first to Haiti’s political turmoil, then to Iraq twice. Returning from the warzone severely wounded, my life would never be the same as it once was.”
Police Chief Coring confirmed that Edge was injured during his combat service and said investigators are reviewing his history, including any documented mental health issues.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” Coring said. “We are still processing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and seeking to understand what exactly motivated this individual to carry out such an act.”
Authorities say the attack appears to have been deliberately timed and executed, though the specific motive remains under investigation.
Residents of Southport, a quiet coastal town popular with tourists and retirees, were left stunned. City officials expressed condolences to the families of the victims and vowed to provide support to the injured and their loved ones.
Local law enforcement is working with federal agencies to examine the suspect’s past, including any prior contact with the criminal justice or mental health systems. The Department of Veterans Affairs has also been contacted to assist with background information.
Further updates are expected in the coming days as investigators sort through the details of the deadly rampage. For now, Southport is reeling from a tragedy that has shattered its normally peaceful waterfront.