North Carolina authorities confirmed a gunman opened fire at a waterfront bar in Southport late Saturday night, killing three individuals and injuring eight others. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. near a popular stretch of bars and restaurants on the town’s waterfront. A suspect was reported to have piloted a small boat close to shore, stopped briefly, and fired into a crowd before fleeing the scene.
The U.S. Coast Guard later detained a person matching the suspect’s description near Oak Island after spotting them pulling a boat from the water. The individual was handed over to Southport police for questioning. Authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s identity or motives but confirmed the arrest of Nigel Edge, 40, who faces three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
Edge is alleged to have used a “short barrel AR rifle with suppressor, folding stock, and scope” during the attack at American Fish Company. Investigators from multiple agencies, including the State Bureau of Investigation and Coast Guard, continued collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses Sunday. No details about the victims’ identities or their conditions were immediately released.
