North Carolina authorities confirmed a gunman opened fire from a boat 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 cluster of bars and restaurants on the town’s waterfront, a historic port area approximately 30 miles south of Wilmington.
Witnesses reported the assailant approached the shore in a small boat, halted briefly, and fired into a crowd before fleeing the scene. The suspect was later apprehended by the U.S. Coast Guard after being spotted pulling a boat from the water at a public ramp on nearby Oak Island. Southport police took custody of the individual for questioning.
Investigators from multiple agencies, including the State Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard, remained at the location Sunday to gather evidence and speak with witnesses. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims or provided details on the condition of the injured.
Nigel Edge, a 40-year-old Oak Island resident, 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. According to court documents, he used a short-barrel AR rifle equipped with a suppressor, folding stock, and scope during the attack. The American Fish Company, where the shooting occurred, remains under investigation.