The serene coastal town of Southport, North Carolina, is reeling after a devastating mass shooting at a beloved waterfront bar left three people dead and at least eight others injured on the evening of Saturday, September 27, 2025. The attack, described by law enforcement as "highly premeditated" and "targeted," has shocked locals and vacationers alike, casting a somber shadow over a community known for its peaceful maritime charm and its cameo in the 2013 film Safe Haven.
According to ABC News, the alleged gunman, 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, opened fire from a white center-console boat moored just off the deck of the American Fish Company, a popular waterfront bar and restaurant. At the time, the deck was crowded with patrons enjoying live music and the gentle evening breeze. Without warning, Edge allegedly unleashed a barrage of bullets using a .300 Blackout Sig Sauer rifle equipped with a suppressor and scope, sending the crowd scrambling for safety as chaos erupted.
"This was not random. It was highly premeditated," Southport Police Chief Todd Coring told reporters at a Sunday press briefing, as cited by Fox News. "It appears that he acted as what we call a 'lone wolf.' He acted alone." Coring further explained that the location was specifically targeted, and that Edge "self-identifies as a combat veteran" and claims to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being injured in the line of duty.
The gunfire struck at least 11 people, killing three and injuring eight more. District Attorney Jon David, speaking to the Wilmington StarNews, confirmed that several victims were transported to area hospitals, with at least one "clinging to life" as of September 28. Many of those caught in the crossfire were vacationers, not local residents. "Sadly, a lot of the victims in this case appear to be not members of our community, but people who were here on vacation," David remarked.
After the shooting, Edge fled the scene by boat, disappearing into the darkness of the Intracoastal Waterway. The escape was short-lived. Deputies from the sheriff’s department, responding by water, spotted Edge as he attempted to retrieve his boat trailer at a public ramp in nearby Oak Island, just a few nautical miles from the crime scene. The Coast Guard detained him roughly 30 minutes after the attack, and he was arrested without incident.
The following Monday, Edge appeared in court via video from the county jail. Chief District Court Judge Scott Ussery ordered him held without bond, citing him as both a flight risk and a danger to the community. Edge did not enter a plea but requested public defense. His next court date is scheduled for October 13, 2025, for a probable cause hearing. Prosecutors have charged him with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. Additional charges, including the possibility of the death penalty, remain under consideration. "North Carolina is a state for which the death penalty is a potential, and my office does seek it in appropriate cases," David stated during a news conference.
Edge’s background has only deepened the community’s bewilderment. According to ABC News, Edge served nearly six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, from September 2003 to June 2009, rising to the rank of sergeant and receiving the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2006. His last duty station was with the Wounded Warriors Battalion East, a unit known for supporting Marines recovering from serious injuries. Photographs from 2012 show Edge in his formal Marine uniform escorting country music singer Kellie Pickler to the Country Music Awards—an image that stands in stark contrast to the events of this past weekend.
Yet, Edge’s recent history reveals troubling signs. As reported by Fox News, he filed a federal lawsuit in 2024 filled with extraordinary and unfounded allegations, including claims of being the victim of a hate crime and elaborate conspiracies involving his parents and high-profile scandals. The case was dismissed in March 2025 by Judge Louise W. Flanagan, who noted that the filings lacked any legal foundation and were replete with "extraordinary accusations." Police Chief Coring emphasized that Edge self-reported PTSD, and while the vast majority of those suffering from mental health challenges pose no risk to others, "some can," he said.
Governor Josh Stein visited Southport on Monday, commending law enforcement and Coast Guard officers for their swift response, which may have prevented further tragedy. "Your excellent police work may have saved additional lives," Stein told officers at a news conference, according to ABC News. He also addressed the broader context of rising violence across the nation, including recent attacks in Charlotte, Utah, and Michigan. "One thing is clear: we must do more to prevent these acts of violence. It has to be our top priority," Stein declared. He called for urgent improvements to the mental health care system, noting that "there are too many people in our communities with dangerous obsessions, exhibiting threatening behavior, who do pose risks. We have got to do better."
The investigation into the Southport shooting is being conducted by a coalition of agencies, including the Southport Police Department, Oak Island Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Coast Guard. Forensic testing, including ballistics and autopsies, is ongoing. Officials have not yet released the names of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin, but it has been confirmed that one victim hailed from California and was visiting with family.
The shockwaves from the attack have rippled through Southport and beyond. The American Fish Company and the neighboring Frying Pan restaurant have closed indefinitely, and makeshift memorials have sprung up along the waterfront, with mourners laying flowers and playing "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes in tribute to the victims. A sign outside a local Mexican restaurant reads, "Pray for Southport," capturing the collective grief and yearning for healing.
Edge’s motives remain unclear, and District Attorney David was candid about the limits of the criminal justice system: "People frequently want to know what happened and why. As prosecutors in a courtroom, we have to prove intent. Intent and motive are very different things. We don't actually have to prove motive. We don't know why people do what they do." While Edge had minor brushes with the law in the past, nothing in his record foreshadowed the scale of violence witnessed on Saturday night.
As Southport begins the slow process of recovery, the tragedy has reignited debates about mental health, gun safety, and the responsibilities of communities and governments in preventing such horrors. For now, the town mourns, united in sorrow and determination to honor the memories of those lost while demanding answers and action.
