North Carolina authorities confirmed a gunman opened fire on Saturday night at a waterfront bar in Southport, resulting in three fatalities and eight injuries. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. near a cluster of bars and restaurants along the town’s coastal area. Witnesses reported the suspect approached the scene by boat, paused briefly, and fired into a crowd before fleeing.

The U.S. Coast Guard located the suspect approximately 30 minutes later after spotting a individual matching his description retrieving a vessel at a public ramp on Oak Island. The suspect was taken into custody and handed over to Southport police for interrogation.

Local officials have not disclosed the identities of the victims or their current conditions. However, subsequent reports identified the accused as Nigel Edge, a 40-year-old resident of Oak Island. Edge faces three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities stated he used a short-barrel AR rifle equipped with a suppressor, folding stock, and scope during the attack.

Investigations continue as multiple agencies, including the State Bureau of Investigation and Coast Guard, collect evidence and interview witnesses at the scene. The American Fish Company, where the shooting occurred, remains under scrutiny. No further details about motives or suspect’s background have been released.