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That warning sent shockwaves through the coastal community, where families and tourists had gathered for what was supposed to be an ordinary night on the water.
Suspect Identified and Captured
Authorities later confirmed the gunman as Nigel Max Edge, a 40-year-old former U.S. Marine and Iraq War veteran. Edge was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder. He is being held without bond at the Brunswick County Jail.
The U.S. Coast Guard apprehended Edge at the NE 55th Street public boat ramp. Officers reported he was taken into custody without further incident after fleeing the initial crime scene. Channel 2 Now reported that Coast Guard personnel cornered him before he could vanish into the waterways.
Troubling Background
Edge’s background has raised serious questions. Once a Marine who served overseas, he reportedly suffered a traumatic brain injury during his time in Iraq. Later, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a condition that may have contributed to his disturbing behavior.
Adding to the concerns, officials and local media noted that Edge had made a number of rambling and disturbing social media posts in the weeks leading up to the attack. These messages painted a picture of a man in mental and emotional decline.
Even more unsettling, Edge had legally changed his name from Sean DeBevoise and was known to reside in Oak Island, North Carolina, just miles away from the scene of the massacre.
A Community in Shock
Southport residents are reeling from the tragedy. The American Fish Company is a popular restaurant and bar often filled with locals, boaters, and visitors. The idea that a man could approach by water and carry out a deadly ambush has left many shaken.
Law enforcement agencies are now piecing together what led Edge to commit this act of violence. Investigators are reviewing his background, his military history, and his online activity as they search for answers.
Final Thoughts
What happened in Southport is a grim reminder of how quickly violence can strike even in the most peaceful corners of America. A decorated veteran turned accused killer, a community robbed of three lives, and eight others left injured — this story is as tragic as it is unsettling.
Officials will continue to investigate, but one thing is clear: Southport will never forget the night a gunman brought terror to its shores.
