Nigel Edge, pictured in this mugshot, received several awards for his service in the Marines. – City of Southport
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A North Carolina waterfront community was shaken Saturday night when a Marine veteran opened fire at a popular bar, killing three people and injuring several others.
Authorities say 40-year-old Nigel Edge, a decorated veteran who once received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Iraq, arrived at the American Fish Company in Southport by boat before carrying out the attack. Eight people were wounded, and at least one remains in critical condition, according to District Attorney Jon David of Judicial District 5.
Southport Police Chief Todd Coring announced Sunday that Edge faces three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Officials believe he acted alone and described the assault as “highly premeditated.”
Edge was taken into custody when the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted his boat after the shooting. Additional charges may be filed, authorities said.
The victims, many of whom were visiting the small Cape Fear River city for the weekend, had been enjoying live music on the bar’s deck when shots suddenly rang out. “The only connection among the victims appears to be a love of good times and Southport’s hospitality,” David said.
Gov. Josh Stein expressed condolences Sunday, calling the attack heartbreaking and pledging state support for the community. “Southport is small but strong. May we come together to support them as they heal from this horrific shooting,” he said.
The incident is one of two mass shootings linked to Iraq War veterans over the weekend. Hours later, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, another Marine veteran allegedly drove into a Latter-day Saints chapel before opening fire, killing two and wounding eight.
Authorities say Edge, a resident of nearby Oak Island, was already known to local police and had filed multiple lawsuits in recent years against both the town and law enforcement. He served in the Marines from 2003 to 2009, including deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was later assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion East.
Despite his decorated service, Edge also struggled in later years, filing several lawsuits filled with unusual claims. One case against the Department of Veterans Affairs was filed just days before the Southport shooting.
He is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court Monday. Authorities say the motive remains unclear but stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
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