Deadly North Carolina Bar Shooting Was “Highly Premeditated,” Officials Say
In a shocking incident that has shaken the quiet coastal community of Southport, North Carolina, a weekend shooting at a popular waterfront establishment left three people dead and five others injured. Officials have described the attack as “highly premeditated,” with the suspect deliberately targeting the American Fish Company bar on the evening of September 27. The establishment, which gained recognition as a filming location for the Nicholas Sparks adaptation “Safe Haven,” became the scene of terror as patrons enjoying live music were suddenly thrust into chaos.
According to investigators, 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, a decorated military veteran who served in Iraq, positioned himself in a white center-console boat just offshore before opening fire on unsuspecting patrons gathered on the bar’s waterfront deck. As bullets struck people on the deck, panic erupted with guests scrambling for safety. Edge reportedly fled the scene by boat, but was intercepted approximately thirty minutes later by a joint effort from the U.S. Coast Guard and Oak Island police at a nearby boat ramp. He was taken into custody without further incident, and authorities quickly assured the community there was no ongoing threat. Court documents revealed that Edge allegedly used a short-barrel AR-style rifle equipped with a suppressor, folding stock, and scope during the attack, suggesting significant premeditation.
Southport Police Chief Todd Coring emphasized during a Sunday press briefing that the attack was not random but carefully planned. He also noted that Edge has claimed to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Defense Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Edge is indeed a combat veteran who served in Iraq in 2005 and received a Purple Heart in 2006 after being injured in the line of duty. This background has added another layer of complexity to understanding the motivations behind the shooting, though authorities have not yet specified if Edge’s military service or mental health issues played a direct role in the incident. District Attorney Jon David revealed that many of the victims were vacationers rather than local residents, adding a particularly tragic dimension to the event as visitors to the picturesque maritime town found themselves caught in unexpected violence.
Edge’s history includes troubling legal actions that may provide insight into his mental state. Earlier this year, a federal lawsuit filed by Edge was dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. In this lawsuit, Edge made extraordinary claims, including allegations that he was a victim of hate crimes and that his parents were involved in what he described as an “illegal pedophile sex ring.” He further attempted to connect his alleged mistreatment to various high-profile cases including the Iraq War, Abu Ghraib scandal, and the Jeffrey Epstein case. Judge Louise W. Flanagan dismissed the case on March 12, 2025, ruling that Edge’s filings contained remarkable accusations but lacked legal foundation. This dismissed lawsuit might indicate Edge’s troubled state of mind in the months leading up to the shooting.
The aftermath of the shooting has deeply affected the Southport community. American Fish Company, along with the neighboring Frying Pan restaurant, announced an indefinite closure following the tragedy. In a heartfelt statement, they expressed: “Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this tragedy. God bless Southport.” The investigation continues with multiple agencies involved, including the Southport Police Department, Oak Island Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Coast Guard. Forensic testing, including ballistics analysis and autopsies, remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the full circumstances of the attack and understand what might have triggered such violence in their peaceful community.
Edge now faces serious legal consequences for his alleged actions. He has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, with the possibility of additional charges to come. A Brunswick County magistrate ordered him held without bond and directed that he provide both fingerprints and a DNA sample. The case has been bound over to Superior Court for grand jury review, with Edge scheduled to appear in Brunswick County Superior Court. As of the latest reports, it was unclear whether Edge had retained legal representation, as no lawyer was listed in the court filings. The community now begins the difficult process of healing while awaiting justice for those affected by this senseless act of violence that has forever changed the perception of safety in their waterfront town.
