On a serene Saturday evening, the tranquil waterfront of Southport, North Carolina, was shattered by an act of violence that left a tight-knit community reeling. Just as locals and tourists gathered to enjoy live music under the stars at the American Fish Company—a popular dockside bar and a familiar sight from the 2013 film "Safe Haven"—a lone gunman approached by boat and opened fire, killing three people and injuring at least eight others.
Authorities identified the suspect as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, a resident of Oak Island, who was swiftly arrested and charged 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. According to Southport Police Chief Todd Coring, "He acted alone. This is highly premeditated, from what we’re seeing at this time, and we feel there are no other threats to our community." Edge is currently being held without bond at the Brunswick County Jail, with his first court appearance scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025.
The shooting erupted at about 9:30 p.m. on September 27, 2025, as a white center console boat pulled up to the American Fish Company, nestled in the Southport Yacht Basin near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the gunman, wielding an assault rifle, fired numerous shots into the crowd of unsuspecting bar patrons enjoying a performance by the band "Bacon Grease." The boater then fled up the Intracoastal Waterway, heading toward Oak Island, about five miles west of the shooting scene.
ChyAnn Ketchum, the city’s public information officer, confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard observed a single individual matching the shooter’s description shortly after 10 p.m. at a marina on Oak Island. Edge was detained by Coast Guard officers and turned over to Oak Island Police, who noted that Edge was known to local authorities and "frequently hung out on our pier," according to Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris.
District Attorney Jon David described the attack as a "targeted shooting" and a "lone wolf" act, emphasizing the calculated nature of the violence. "Evil has come ashore in Southport, North Carolina. Ironically enough, at the very place which once served as a backdrop to the movie 'Safe Haven,'" David said, underscoring the community’s shock at such a tragedy unfolding in a place long considered a symbol of safety and charm.
Most of the victims were tourists, drawn to Southport’s picturesque waterfront and vibrant nightlife. David added that the victims were "just enjoying live music under the stars," and that their only connection was "a love of having a good time and enjoying all that Southport has to offer." Some of the injured were stabilized and released from Dosher Memorial Hospital, but at least one victim was described as "clinging to life." The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
In the aftermath, police cordoned off the crime scene and issued urgent warnings on social media, advising residents to avoid the area and shelter in place. "Importantly, there is currently no known further credible threat to the public. Officers and deputies from multiple agencies are in place to help ensure additional security for the greater area," police assured, as reported by local outlets and ABC News.
Law enforcement officials from the Southport Police, Oak Island Police, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Bureau of Investigation launched a comprehensive search of Edge’s boat, vehicle, and residence. An assault rifle was recovered during the investigation. Chief Coring also revealed that Edge is a "self-described combat veteran" who reported being injured in the line of duty and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. NBC News noted that Edge’s military background is still being independently verified.
Edge’s ex-wife, Rachel Crowl, expressed sorrow for the victims and their families, telling NBC News, "I’m sad for these families. I’m sad nobody helped him and this could have maybe been prevented." She added that Edge, who changed his name from Sean William Debevoise in 2023, had been "crying out for help for a long time" regarding his behavior and mental health. Court records show their divorce was finalized in 2009, and Crowl said she had not spoken to her ex-husband in about a decade.
The shooting has left the Southport community shaken. Todd Weaver, a local resident who was at the bar during the shooting, recalled initially mistaking the gunfire for fireworks. "And then to see the carnage, I just, you never get that out of your head," Weaver said to NBC News, describing the harrowing aftermath as he tried to comfort victims’ loved ones. "With somebody shot in the head and sitting there trying to console his wife with her husband dead right beside her." Weaver’s friend was grazed in the thigh but was released from the hospital after receiving stitches.
As the investigation continues, officials are asking anyone with information or video footage from the bar on Friday and Saturday to come forward. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but police reiterated that there is no ongoing danger to the public.
Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina issued a statement on Sunday, saying, "I’m heartbroken by the shooting last night in Southport that tragically took three lives and injured others. My wife and I pray for their families and friends. I have been in touch with state and local law enforcement, and the state will provide any support needed. Southport is a small but strong community. May we all come together to support them as they heal from this horrific shooting."
Southport, a city of about 4,300 residents, is renowned for its scenic beauty and small-town feel. The Southport Yacht Basin, where the tragedy unfolded, is a hub for restaurants and boating, located where the Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River, and Atlantic Ocean meet. The area’s fame as the backdrop for "Safe Haven" only deepens the sense of loss for a community that has long prided itself on being a welcoming retreat.
In a year already marked by at least 320 mass shootings in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive and CNN, the events in Southport are a sobering reminder that even communities thought to be "virtually nonexistent" for violent crime are not immune. As the town mourns, residents and officials alike are left grappling with the question of how such violence could strike so close to home.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities combing through evidence and searching for answers. For now, the people of Southport are left to support each other, remembering those lost and hoping for healing in a place they once called their "safe haven."
