


The gunman suspected of opening fire at a riverside bar in Southport, North Carolina, on Saturday has been arrested and is facing charges.
Officials identified Nigel Edge, a 40-year-old North Carolina resident, as the suspected gunman. He allegedly killed three people and injured eight others from his boat before he sped away on the water, authorities said. The U.S. Coast Guard later identified his boat as the one that matched the description from law enforcement about half an hour after the shooting occurred.
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Edge is facing three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Jon David, district attorney of Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus counties in North Carolina, said he may face additional charges.
He is being held without bond and will appear in court on Monday afternoon. Authorities identified his weapon as an assault rifle.
Southport police chief Todd Coring said Edge is a combat veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He served in Iraq in 2005 and 2006 and was awarded a Purple Heart for his service.
Law enforcement officials described the shooting as a “targeted” and “highly premeditated attack.” Authorities did not give a potential motive for the shooting but said it was a “lone wolf” attack.
The attack occurred at the American Fish Company, a bar and live music venue. The bar said it will be closed indefinitely. In a statement, American Fish Company said, “Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Southport, North Carolina, is about 60 miles north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a popular tourist destination. Authorities noted that many of the victims were tourists. Names of the victims will be released on Monday.
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“The thread that connects everyone who’s a victim in this case, to this point, just appears to be a love of having a good time and enjoying all that Southport has to offer,” David said Sunday. “Sadly, a lot of the victims in this case appear to be not members of our community, but people who are here on vacation.”
There have been at least 324 mass shootings in the United States this year so far, according to the nonprofit group Gun Violence Archive.