SOUTHPORT, N.C. — Authorities are continuing their investigation into a mass shooting that shattered the peace late Saturday night at the American Fish Company restaurant in the Southport Yacht Basin. Gunfire erupted from a boat positioned on the Cape Fear River, leaving three people dead and at least nine others wounded before the suspect fled toward Oak Island.
The victims have been identified as James “Jimmy” Harlan, 42, Melissa Carter, 34, and Daniel Ortiz, 29. Each had been enjoying an evening at the waterfront venue, which is a popular spot for dining and live entertainment. Their sudden deaths have left families, friends, and the Southport community reeling with grief and disbelief.
Witnesses said the night began like any other at the bustling marina, with music filling the air and crowds gathered along the docks. The atmosphere shifted violently when shots rang out from the water, echoing across the river and into the packed restaurant. Panic erupted as people ducked under tables, rushed indoors, and scrambled to escape the barrage of bullets.
Law enforcement officers from the Southport Police Department, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and state agencies were dispatched within minutes. Emergency responders braved the chaos to provide lifesaving aid to victims on the boardwalk and inside the restaurant. Despite their urgent efforts, three people were pronounced dead, and nine others were rushed to hospitals with varying degrees of injury. Several remain in critical condition.
Authorities confirmed that the gunfire came from a boat anchored just off the waterfront. Investigators believe the shooter used the vessel as a platform to target patrons gathered in the restaurant and marina. After the attack, the suspect fled down the Cape Fear River toward Oak Island, triggering a massive search by marine patrols, the U.S. Coast Guard, and federal agents.
Detectives are working to determine the motive behind the shooting. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and eyewitness accounts are being reviewed as part of the effort to reconstruct the timeline of the attack. Officials have not said whether the victims were targeted or chosen at random, but they emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Community leaders expressed shock and sorrow, describing the attack as one of the darkest moments in Southport’s recent history. Vigils are being planned to honor the victims, and clergy members from across the region have offered support to grieving families. Counseling services are being arranged for survivors and witnesses who endured the harrowing night.
The American Fish Company, a beloved local restaurant overlooking the Cape Fear River, has long been considered a cornerstone of Southport’s waterfront life. Its closure as a crime scene underscores the magnitude of the tragedy. Business owners in the Yacht Basin have pledged to support affected families and to strengthen safety measures once the area reopens.
Officials urged residents to remain vigilant and to share any information that could help investigators. They stressed that public cooperation is critical in ensuring the suspect is apprehended and brought to justice. In the meantime, security has been heightened throughout the waterfront district.
As Southport grieves, the community finds itself confronting the fragility of safety in familiar spaces. The lives of James Harlan, Melissa Carter, and Daniel Ortiz have been cut short in a sudden and brutal act of violence, leaving a void that will not easily be filled. Their memory now binds the town together as it seeks healing, justice, and resilience in the face of tragedy.