SOUTHPORT, N.C. — A mass shooting that shattered the evening tranquility of this charming seaside town in North Carolina left three people dead and five injured, according to police reports issued Sunday. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Nigel Edge from Oak Island, was in custody following the shooting incident that unfolded at the American Fish Company bar.
Police Chief Todd Coring confirmed that Edge is accused of conducting a “highly premeditated” attack by firing shots from a boat into a crowd during a busy Saturday night. The location was specifically targeted, although further details were not provided.
Edge, who piloted a small boat close to the shore lined with bars and restaurants, conducted the shooting and then fled the scene. He was apprehended around half an hour later when a U.S. Coast Guard crew spotted a person matching his description at a public boat ramp in Oak Island.
The charges against Edge include three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. There are indications that additional charges may follow, as the investigation is ongoing.
According to police, the firearm involved was an assault rifle, though they did not specify the type. Chief Coring indicated that the suspect identifies as a combat veteran who suffers from PTSD, raising serious questions about his mental state. Edge is set to appear in court on Monday and is currently being held without bond.
Among the injured, at least one person is critically injured. Some of the victims are reported to be visitors from out of town, adding to the tragedy of the incident. The local police chief described Edge as someone familiar to them, with a history of minor interactions with law enforcement. Still, they did not foresee such violent behavior from him.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released as investigations continue. Local agencies, including the State Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard, are assisting in collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses affected by this horrific event.
