A quiet Saturday evening along the Cape Fear River turned into a scene of terror when a man opened fire on a waterfront restaurant in Southport, North Carolina, killing three people and wounding five others.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, reportedly arrived by boat and carried out what officials are calling a “highly premeditated” and “targeted” attack.
The Shooting
Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, authorities responded to frantic 911 calls from the American Fish Company, a popular waterfront spot in Southport. Witnesses said patrons dove for cover as Edge pulled his vessel alongside the restaurant and began firing.
Three people were killed at the scene, and five others were transported to nearby hospitals. Authorities initially reported eight injuries but later revised the figure to five.
During a press briefing Sunday morning, Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said that Edge had carefully planned the attack. “This was highly premeditated. This was targeted,” Coring said. “The suspect identifies himself as a combat veteran, a former Marine, and he has indicated he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Suspect Apprehended
Roughly half an hour after the shooting, Edge was spotted docking his boat at a public pier in Oak Island, a neighboring community. He was taken into custody without incident.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Edge is facing multiple charges, including:
Three counts of first-degree murder
Five counts of attempted first-degree murder
Five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injuries
Officials said additional charges may follow.
Victims and Community Response
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, citing the need to notify families. The conditions of the five injured remain unclear, but District Attorney Jon David noted that at least one victim is “clinging for their life.”
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein expressed condolences in a message on X (formerly Twitter):
“I am heartbroken. Southport is a small but strong community. May we all come together to support them as they heal from this horrific shooting.”
Suspect’s Past
While little is known about Edge’s recent activities, police in Oak Island said he was a familiar face around the community.
“He frequently hung out on our pier,” Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris said. “He had some minor contacts with our officers, but nothing significant that would have indicated he was capable of such horror.”
Reports indicate that Edge had filed several lawsuits against the town of Oak Island and its police department in recent years. Details of those filings have not been released.
A Troubled Veteran
Edge reportedly served in the U.S. Marine Corps and often described himself as a combat veteran. Officials say he claimed to have been injured in the line of duty and struggled with PTSD.
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