Southport, North Carolina — September 28, 2025
A Saturday night out at a popular waterfront bar in Southport turned into a scene of horror when a gunman opened fire from a boat, leaving three people dead and eight others wounded. Authorities have described the attack as highly premeditated and the location as deliberately targeted.
The Attack
According to investigators, the shooting unfolded around 9:30 p.m. at the American Fish Company, a well-known waterfront bar and restaurant. Witnesses reported sudden gunfire erupting from a boat positioned offshore.
The suspect, later identified as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge of Oak Island, fired multiple rounds into the crowd before fleeing along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Casualties
Officials confirmed three fatalities at the scene. At least eight additional victims sustained injuries, some of them critically. Emergency services transported the wounded to nearby hospitals, where doctors continue to fight to stabilize several patients. The names of the victims have not yet been released, pending family notifications.
Arrest of the Suspect
Law enforcement moved swiftly. With the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard, Edge was apprehended at a public boat ramp on Oak Island about 30 minutes after the shooting.
He now faces:
- 3 counts of first-degree murder
- 5 counts of attempted first-degree murder
- 5 counts of assault with a deadly weapon
Motive Under Investigation
Authorities say the attack was not random. “The location was intentionally targeted, and the assault was highly premeditated,” police stated during a press briefing.
Edge, who has described himself as a combat veteran suffering from PTSD, had previously filed lawsuits against local government bodies, though officials say he had no major criminal record. Investigators are still piecing together the precise motive behind the shooting.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
The Southport Police Department, alongside state and federal agencies, is leading the investigation. Forensic teams continue to collect evidence at the bar, while interviews with witnesses are ongoing.
Officials assured residents there is no ongoing threat to the public. Still, the tragedy has rattled the quiet coastal town, which had never before seen violence of this scale.
National Attention
The attack has drawn nationwide attention, sparking renewed debates on gun violence, mental health, and public safety in crowded venues. Local leaders have called for unity and resilience, urging the community to support the victims and their families.
What’s Next
Nigel Max Edge remains in custody and is expected to appear before a North Carolina judge this week. Prosecutors have not ruled out seeking the death penalty, given the severity of the charges.
Meanwhile, grief counselors and support services are being deployed in Southport to aid survivors, witnesses, and families of the victims.
