SOUTHPORT, N.C. – Authorities confirmed the arrest of 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge of Oak Island in connection with a mass shooting late Saturday night at the American Fish Company, a popular waterfront bar and gathering place located in the Southport Yacht Basin. The violent incident left three people dead and several others wounded, shaking this coastal town and sparking an extensive investigation.
The shooting broke out just before midnight as patrons filled the venue for live music and weekend festivities. Witnesses said the atmosphere shifted from celebration to horror within seconds when gunfire erupted, sending dozens of people rushing toward exits, diving for cover, and seeking shelter behind tables and dockside structures.
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the Southport Police Department, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, rushed to the scene after frantic 911 calls reported multiple victims. Responders described a chaotic environment, with injured individuals scattered throughout the bar and along the marina.
Three victims were pronounced dead shortly after the shooting, while several others were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. Officials have not yet released the identities of those killed, as family members are being notified. Medical staff reported that some of the wounded remain in critical condition, and additional updates are expected in the coming days.
Investigators quickly identified Edge as a suspect and initiated a manhunt that lasted several hours before he was located and taken into custody without further violence. Authorities stated that he is currently being held pending formal charges, which are expected to include multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.
Officials are working to determine a motive behind the deadly shooting. Detectives have begun interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from both the bar and nearby businesses. Authorities have not said whether the victims were targeted or if the shooting stemmed from a dispute that escalated into violence.
The American Fish Company, a well-known waterfront bar overlooking the Cape Fear River, is considered a staple of Southport’s entertainment scene. The shooting has deeply unsettled residents who view the location as a cornerstone for social gatherings and tourism. Business owners in the Yacht Basin expressed shock, noting that the venue has long been a draw for locals and visitors alike.
City leaders have condemned the violence, pledging to support grieving families and promising a thorough pursuit of justice. Counseling services and crisis response teams are being made available to survivors, witnesses, and community members struggling to process the tragedy. Vigils are also being planned to honor the lives lost.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of community cooperation as the investigation unfolds. They urged anyone with additional information, photographs, or videos from the night of the shooting to come forward and assist law enforcement in building a clearer timeline of events.
As the town of Southport mourns, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of violence in public spaces. For now, the focus remains on healing, supporting victims’ families, and ensuring that accountability is achieved for an act of violence that has left deep scars on this small coastal community.