North Carolina Tragedy: 3 Killed After Gunman Opens Fire on Waterfront Restaurant from Boat
3 people were killed in a shocking North Carolina shooting after a gunman opened fire on a waterfront restaurant from a boat. Police are investigating the incident
A gunman opened fire from a boat at a restaurant in the United States’ North Carolina on Saturday night, killing at least three people and injuring eight others before fleeing the scene, New York Post reported.
The incident took place around 9:30 pm (local time) at the American Fish Company, a pub and restaurant located at 150 Yacht Basin Drive, in the Southport Yacht Basin area, approximately 20 miles south of Wilmington.
City Manager Noah Saldo said a boat pulled up to the restaurant and fired into the crowd before taking off. He confirmed that several people were taken to the hospital. According to law enforcement, at least seven people were shot, including three who were pronounced dead at the scene. The figures are subject to change as the emergency response continues.
The city administration has asked residents to avoid the area, remain in their homes, and report any suspicious activity to 911.
Southport, North Carolina – September 27, 2025 — A night of leisure and dining turned into tragedy when a gunman opened fire from a boat into patrons at a waterfront restaurant, killing three people and wounding eight others, authorities said. The attack has shocked the local community and raised urgent questions about safety, motive, and accountability.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT, gunfire erupted at the American Fish Company, a popular waterfront restaurant located in the Southport Yacht Basin in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The perpetrator was aboard a boat navigating the Intracoastal Waterway as he targeted diners seated outdoors and along the dockside.
Three people were fatally shot and eight sustained injuries in the attack. Law enforcement officials declared an “active shooter” situation immediately after the incident, though they later confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public.
The assailant fled via water, and authorities later detained a person of interest. The suspect was spotted later at a marina in Oak Island—about five miles from the scene—preparing the boat. The U.S. Coast Guard played a role in apprehending the individual. As of current reports, the suspect’s identity and motive have not been officially confirmed.
The three people who lost their lives remain unnamed in initial reports, and authorities have not yet released full details about the eight wounded victims. The injuries ranged from moderate to serious; medical teams are still working to stabilize victims and address long-term care needs.
In addition to the human toll, the restaurant’s property, patrons, and staff have been traumatized. The American Fish Company is a well-known establishment that often hosts live music and outdoor dining along the waterfront—making this shooting particularly jarring for a setting that is usually festive and relaxed.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos and panic. Some diners dove to the ground. Others scrambled for cover or were struck by errant gunfire. Emergency responders arrived quickly, cordoning off the scene and beginning triage operations.
Immediately following the attack, multiple law enforcement agencies converged on the area—local police, marine units, and the U.S. Coast Guard coordinating to secure the waterfront and pursue leads. A person matching the shooter’s description was later seen at a nearby marina loading a vessel, prompting his detention by Oak Island police before being transferred to Southport for questioning.
As of now, law enforcement has not confirmed the suspect’s identity or motive. However, online sleuths and media have proposed a possible suspect name—Nigel Max Edge—based on social media posts and local clues. These claims remain unverified by authorities. If the motive is established, it could dramatically shift how investigators approach the case (whether it was premeditated, targeted, or random).
Authorities have assured residents there is no credible ongoing threat to the public and have increased security in the region. Investigators are collecting evidence—shell casings, ballistic matches, CCTV footage, witness statements, and boat tracking logs—to reconstruct the events leading up to and during the shooting.
The Intracoastal Waterway runs along much of the U.S. eastern seaboard and provides a navigable route for boats between the Atlantic and inland passages. The waterfront restaurants along this corridor often boast dockside dining, creating a unique confluence of land- and water-based traffic. That accessibility may have enabled the shooter’s audacious method—attacking from a moving vessel.
The American Fish Company is one of Southport’s signature establishments, drawing locals and tourists alike for evening dining, music, and scenic views. Its setting on the edge of the water makes it vulnerable to maritime approaches. This night, what typically feels open and ambient became dangerous in an instant.
In broader perspective, the U.S. continues to grapple with firearm violence in public venues—particularly in gatherings where people relax, dine, and socialize. This case is especially unnerving because the assailant used the waterway as an extension of reach, crossing the boundary between land and sea.
At this stage, motive remains speculative. Investigators will seek to uncover:
Whether the shooting was random or targeted. Did the gunman harbor specific grievances against someone at the restaurant or the establishment itself?
Whether the suspect had prior history with the victims or local community. Was there previous conflict, mental health issues, or stalking behavior?
How the assailant planned and executed the attack. Did he scout the restaurant, plan escape routes, or use reconnaissance to choose this location?
Whether accomplices or outside help were involved. Did someone assist in navigation, logistics, or lookout?
What security lapses allowed this attack to succeed. For example, lack of waterfront surveillance, lighting, uncontrolled dock sites, or absence of marine patrols.
If the suspect is confirmed to be Nigel Max Edge, as some social media users suggest, that theory must be corroborated through official investigative channels. Until validated, it remains a possible lead among others.
News of this violent episode reverberated quickly across local social media and news outlets, leaving residents and visitors shocked. In a tourist region known for calm seaside evenings, the idea that someone could fire at diners from a passing boat feels alien and terrifying.
Social media users shared messages of grief, fear, and questions about security. Local leaders have called for increased police presence, improved waterfront monitoring, and trauma counseling for witnesses and survivors. Some community members have expressed hesitation to return to dockside eateries or nighttime dining near water. The incident threatens not only human lives but also confidence in public safety in communal spaces.
Memorials and vigils are expected in the days ahead for the victims. As more details emerge—names, backstories, motives—the public’s attention will turn to seeking answers, accountability, and policy changes.
This shooting raises multiple issues—legal, regulatory, and political:
Maritime / criminal jurisdiction. Because the attack involved a watercraft, agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard, state marine patrols, and local law enforcement must all coordinate jurisdictional boundaries and authority.
Gun laws and enforcement. The case renews debates over how firearms are acquired, stored, and used—particularly for attacks that involve mobility (boats, vehicles) and access to public spaces.
Security standards for waterfront venues. Do restaurants along canals, marinas, and rivers need stricter security protocols—lighting, barriers, waterway surveillance cameras, police patrols?
Trauma care and victim assistance. Ensuring prompt and sustained support (medical, psychological, financial) to survivors, witnesses, restaurant staff, and families.
Public safety communication. The shooter’s ability to attack from water underscores the need for cross-domain public safety planning (land, water, crowd control).
Lawmakers and community advocates may push for legislative reforms—such as stricter maritime security, mandates for waterfront business safety standards, or enhanced penalties for attacks from transit platforms (boats, vehicles, drones).
The full identities of the victims and suspect remain unreleased.
The motive behind the shooting is unconfirmed.
The exact firearm type, ammunition, and ballistic details are not yet publicly disclosed.
Whether there were multiple shooters or accomplices.
How planning and execution were coordinated (timing, reconnaissance, escape route).
Whether existing water security infrastructure was inadequate or absent.
Investigators caution that the case remains active and evolving. More facts will surface as forensics, interviews, and surveillance data come in.
