SOUTHPORT, N.C. — A night of terror gripped the waterfront community of Southport on Saturday, September 27, 2025, after police confirmed that a 17-year-old gunman opened fire at the Southport Yacht Basin, killing two people and injuring at least 16 others. Authorities warned that the toll could rise as several victims remain in critical condition.
The shooting unfolded just before midnight in one of the town’s busiest waterfront hubs, where crowds had gathered to enjoy live music, food, and the coastal atmosphere. Witnesses described scenes of panic as the sound of gunfire echoed across the marina, sending people running for cover inside nearby restaurants and along the docks.
Law enforcement agencies from across Brunswick County rushed to the scene. Police officers and deputies worked to secure the waterfront while paramedics treated victims on the ground. Emergency vehicles lined the marina’s narrow streets as the injured were rushed to hospitals across the region. Officials later confirmed that trauma units were placed on standby to handle the surge of patients.
Authorities said the shooter, a 17-year-old male, was taken into custody without further incident. Investigators are now working to determine a motive and whether others may have been involved in planning or carrying out the attack. Given the suspect’s age, officials noted that questions about charges and court proceedings will involve both state and federal prosecutors.
The victims who lost their lives have not yet been publicly identified, as officials work to notify next of kin. Families of those injured have gathered outside local hospitals, waiting anxiously for updates. Doctors reported that several patients had undergone emergency surgeries and warned that the number of fatalities could increase.
Southport, a town known for its quiet waterfront charm, fishing community, and summer tourism, has been left shaken by the unprecedented violence. Residents awoke Sunday morning to a heavy law enforcement presence, with portions of the yacht basin cordoned off as investigators combed the area for evidence, including shell casings and surveillance video.
Officials from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are collaborating with federal agencies to build a complete picture of the attack. Detectives are reviewing witness statements and analyzing the suspect’s background to uncover any warning signs that may have preceded the shooting.
Community leaders expressed heartbreak and disbelief, calling the shooting a devastating blow to a close-knit coastal town. Vigils are already being organized in memory of the victims, while local churches and nonprofits are offering counseling services to survivors and witnesses traumatized by the violence.
Businesses in the yacht basin, many of them family-owned establishments, have pledged to support victims and their families. Several have announced that a portion of their proceeds will go toward relief funds, underscoring the community’s determination to rally together during a time of loss.
As Southport mourns, the focus now turns to healing and accountability. The names of the victims will soon be remembered in a town that will never forget the night its peace was shattered. For many, the tragedy has underscored both the fragility of safety and the importance of solidarity in facing the darkest of moments.