Gunfire From Boat Strikes North Carolina Waterfront Restaurant, Leaving 3 Dead and 8 Injured
In a shocking incident late on Saturday in Southport, North Carolina, a man opened fire from a boat into the American Fish Company restaurant. The attack left three people dead and at least eight others injured. The suspect, later identified as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder. The case is one of the multiple mass shootings reported over the weekend in the United States.
Background and Context
Southport, a city located approximately 30 miles south of Wilmington, North Carolina, is a coastal town known for its yacht basin area, home to several bars and restaurants, including the American Fish Company. Late on Saturday night, this serene water-front area was thrown into chaos when an active shooter targeted the American Fish Company.
The City of Southport issued a public notice at 9:53pm local time warning residents of gunfire in the yacht basin area, urging them to avoid the area, stay indoors, and report any suspicious activity to the police. City Manager Noah Saldo reported that a vessel approached the restaurant and opened fire on people gathered there before fleeing the scene.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The suspect, later identified as Nigel Max Edge, reportedly paused briefly in front of the restaurant around 9:30 p.m. on his boat on the Cape Fear River, then opened fire. He killed three patrons and injured multiple others before speeding off towards the Intracoastal Waterway, in the direction of neighboring Oak Island.
Several people were taken to the hospital,
said City Manager Noah Saldo, as reported by RT. The exact number of injured was initially unknown, with authorities reporting an unknown number of injuries.
However, subsequent reports from sources including the New York Times and The Hindu confirmed at least eight people were injured.
Investigation and Arrest
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple other law enforcement agencies throughout the county, responded to the incident. By Sunday morning, the Southport's public information officer, ChyAnn Ketchum, confirmed to Fox News that Nigel Max Edge had been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. The motivation behind the attack, however, remains unknown.
Conclusion and Current Status
The incident in Southport was one of several mass shootings reported in the US over the weekend, with The Guardian also reporting shootings at a casino and on Bourbon Street. The arrest of Nigel Max Edge marks a significant development in the investigation. However, with the motivation behind the attack still unclear, further updates are expected as law enforcement continues to investigate.