Southport, North Carolina – A quiet waterfront community was rocked by violence after a mass shooting at the Southport Yacht Basin left three people dead and eight others wounded. Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as Sean William DeBevoise, who has also used the name Nigel Max Edge, a former Marine whose disturbing personal history and conspiracy-tinged writings are now under intense scrutiny.
The attack unfolded at a popular restaurant located along the yacht basin, a site normally associated with family gatherings, live music, and visitors enjoying the charm of coastal North Carolina. Witnesses described a night of celebration turned to horror as gunfire erupted, sending people scrambling for cover, some diving into the water to escape the spray of bullets.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene within minutes of the first 911 calls. Despite immediate medical assistance, three individuals were pronounced dead at the site. Eight others were transported to area hospitals in Wilmington and Brunswick County, where several remain in critical condition. Officials have not released the victims’ names, citing the need to notify families first.
Law enforcement quickly secured the area and took the suspect into custody without further incident. Investigators are now working alongside federal authorities to understand the events leading up to the rampage and to determine whether the shooting was premeditated or the product of an escalating personal crisis.
Public records reveal that Sean William DeBevoise, also known as Nigel Max Edge, is a 40-year-old Marine veteran from Oak Island. He has been connected to lawsuits, legal disputes, and writings filled with allegations of government betrayal. A self-published memoir and online postings suggest a deep sense of resentment toward institutions, claims that investigators now believe may help explain the motive behind the attack.
Residents of Southport expressed disbelief that such violence could strike their community. The yacht basin and its restaurants are considered central to the town’s identity, a place where families gather and tourists stroll the docks. Now, the area is marked by crime scene tape and grief. “This is something we never imagined happening here,” one resident said.
Neighbors from Oak Island described the suspect as increasingly withdrawn in recent years. Some reported hearing angry rants about conspiracies, while others recalled him as reclusive but visibly unsettled. Authorities are examining whether his deteriorating mental state, combined with access to firearms, contributed directly to the tragedy.
Federal agents have joined state and local officers in reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing eyewitnesses, and analyzing the suspect’s digital footprint. Officials confirmed they are exploring whether the writings under the alias Nigel Max Edge contain threats or ideological motives tied to extremist beliefs.
Community leaders have called for unity and support in the wake of the massacre. Vigils are planned at churches and community centers, offering spaces for residents to grieve and honor the lives lost. Counseling services have also been made available to survivors and witnesses coping with trauma.
As Southport mourns, the investigation continues into the life of Sean William DeBevoise, the troubled ex-Marine accused of shattering a peaceful evening with violence. For residents and families of the victims, the unanswered questions surrounding the suspect’s motives and past only deepen the pain of a night that has forever changed the town.
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