September 27, 2025, seemed like a typical night at American Fish Company in Southport, North Carolina. But what began as lighthearted fun on a Saturday night ended in unimaginable tragedy. A gunman opened fire from his boat and shot into the waterfront bar. The gunshots killed three people and injured several others. Police immediately began a search that ended in the arrest of Nigel Edge, 30. He was apprehended within 30 minutes of police receiving 911 calls about the shooting. Now, many in the community wonder how they will ever feel safe again.
Law enforcement gathered for a news conference on September 28 to share details about the mass shooting. The police made sure to let the community know that the incident appeared to be isolated and that no ongoing threat existed.
“We believe this was a targeted location,” Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said. “He acted as a lone wolf. He acted alone. This is highly premeditated from what we’re seeing at this time, and we feel that there are no other threats to our community.”
Edge has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, Coring said, per CNN.
The former Marine reportedly lives on Oak Island and has a history with the police.
“He has been a resident in Oak Island for several years,” Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris shared during the news conference. “He has filed numerous lawsuits against the town and the police department within the last couple of years.”
Morris reiterated that they knew of Edge because of minor offenses but never had an “indication that he was capable of such horror.”
The victims’ identities remain undisclosed, but Jon David, district attorney for North Carolina’s Judicial District 5, shared that several victims were from out of town, likely visiting the idyllic community on vacation.
“The thread that connects everyone who’s a victim in this case to this point just appears to be a love of having a good time and enjoying all that Southport has to offer,” he said, per CNN.
Edge served in the US Marine Corps from 2003 to 2009, and had changed his name from Sean DeBevoise, CNN reported. He was awarded both a Purple Heart and a Humanitarian Service Medal during his time in Iraq.
According to his Facebook account, Edge is an author, veteran, and “Former Captain at Game On Fishing Charters.” He used social media to share lawsuit documents and repeatedly posted about criminals by sharing sentiments such as “Hey reminder criminals are bad,” and “Reminder for authorities; you’re supposed to stop criminals.”
Edge also made a post in February 2025 that appeared to share some erratic thoughts.
“Just a announcement in general, if people treat me badly I m just going to assume your either a pedophile, corrupt law enforcement or terrorist; it is obvious I didn’t do something wrong, however I am learning more of things done to me and I’ve always known I m not the problem, either get over it or give me what’s owed and get the hell away from me,” he wrote.
He seemed disturbed by something in his past, but it’s not completely clear what he meant by the posts.
Many locals shared their heartache with WITN following the deadly shooting. “We were absolutely shocked to hear what had happened in this beautiful, hallmark town,” American Fish Company regular Mireille Mullians said. “You don’t expect these things to happen in Southport.”
She planned to go to the waterfront bar the night of the deadly shooting but changed her plans at the last minute. Her feelings of relief mixed with shock and grief must be heartbreaking.
Per a Facebook post, the bar will remain closed indefinitely.
“Things like this don’t happen in Southport,” resident Scott Rivers said, according to WITN.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein shared a message of love with the Southport community on X. “I’m heartbroken by the shooting last night in Southport that tragically took three lives and injured others. Anna 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,” he wrote. “Southport is a small but strong community. May we all come together to support them as they heal from this horrific shooting.”
Sadly, apparently you can go on vacation to relax and have a little fun and wind up dead. We simply can’t imagine the grief the victims feel or begin to understand why Edge would do something so horrific. He remains in custody.
