A self-described “combat veteran” and former Marine traveling in a boat opened fire on a waterfront restaurant in North Carolina Saturday night, killing three people and injuring five others. According to police, the attack was “highly premeditated” and “targeted.”
Combat veteran suffering from PTSD
Around 9:30 p.m. local time Saturday, authorities responded to an active shooter call at the American Fish Company, a restaurant located along the waterfront in Southport, North Carolina.
The suspect, 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, reportedly pulled up alongside the restaurant on Cape Fear River before opening fire. Three people were killed and five others were injured. Initial reports suggested eight people were injured; however, authorities revised that number on Sunday.
During a press conference Sunday morning, authorities said that Edge’s attack was “highly premeditated” and “targeted.” They added that Edge, a former Marine, “self-identifies” as a combat veteran and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“We understand this suspect identifies as a combat veteran. He self-identifies. Injured in the line of duty is what he’s saying, he suffers from PTSD,” Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said.
Roughly 30 minutes after police responded to the scene, Edge was seen pulling his boat up to a public pier in North Carolina’s Oak Island.
Authorities have not released the identities of those who were injured or killed. The condition of all of those who were injured has also been withheld. However, District Attorney Jon David said that at least one person is “now clinging for their life.”
In a post to X Sunday morning, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said he was “heartbroken.”
“Southport is a small but strong community. May we all come together to support them as they heal from this horrific shooting,” Stein added.
According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Edge is being 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 intent to kill, inflicting serious injuries. Additional charges are pending.
Suspect known to authorities
According to reporting from The Associated Press, the Oak Island Police Department said that Edge “frequently hung out on our pier,” and had previously had “minor contacts” with authorities.
However, Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris added that there “was nothing significant in his past which would give us any indication that he was capable of such horror.”
Edge reportedly filed several lawsuits against the town and its police department in the past.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, one person is dead and at least 10 others are injured after a suspect drove their car into a Mormon church in Michigan and opened fire on the parishioners.
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