SOUTHPORT, N.C. — Heartbreak and disbelief have gripped the small coastal city of Southport after a mass shooting late Saturday night turned a bustling weekend gathering into tragedy. Authorities confirmed that at least two people were killed and 16 others injured during the rampage at the Southport Yacht Basin, with officials cautioning that the number of victims may rise as several remain hospitalized in critical condition.
The shooting unfolded just before midnight in one of the city’s busiest waterfront districts, where locals and visitors had gathered to enjoy the weekend atmosphere. Witnesses reported hearing multiple bursts of gunfire, followed by scenes of chaos as people screamed, ducked for cover, and scrambled into restaurants and nearby boats to escape the violence.
Police said the shooter opened fire in a crowded section of the marina where families, friends, and tourists had gathered. The sound of gunshots echoed across the Cape Fear River, shattering the normally festive atmosphere. Officers from the Southport Police Department responded within minutes, quickly securing the scene as panicked victims sought help.
Emergency responders worked through the night to treat the wounded. Victims were transported to area hospitals by both ambulance and helicopter, with medical teams mobilizing in anticipation of critical cases. Hospital officials later confirmed that several patients had undergone emergency surgery and remain in intensive care.
The victims who lost their lives have not yet been identified, as authorities continue the process of notifying next of kin. For now, their names remain withheld, but the community has already begun to gather at makeshift memorials near the waterfront, where candles, flowers, and prayers reflect the pain and grief of neighbors and friends.
Authorities confirmed that a suspect is in custody and that the immediate threat to the public has passed. Investigators are now piecing together what led to the attack, collecting shell casings, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing dozens of witnesses who were at the marina during the shooting. Officials have not yet released a motive, but they have called the assault a “senseless act of violence.”
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and federal agencies are assisting with the investigation. Officials emphasized that the probe will be thorough, with a focus on ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
Community leaders described the shooting as one of the darkest moments in Southport’s history. Plans for vigils and prayer services are already underway, as clergy and civic organizations step forward to offer counseling and comfort to those affected. Residents expressed shock that such violence could erupt in a town long known for its tranquility and hospitality.
Local businesses along the yacht basin, many of which rely on tourism and recreation, have pledged to support victims’ families. Restaurant owners and shopkeepers said they plan to hold benefit events to help those most directly impacted by the tragedy.
As Southport mourns, the community is left to grapple with the fragility of safety in familiar places. The memory of the lives lost, combined with the hope for recovery of the injured, now unites a town determined to heal, rebuild, and honor those taken in an act of violence that will never be forgotten.