Crime
Alleged Southport Yacht Basin Suspect Sean DeBevoise Wrote Memoir Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation (Truth Hurts)
SOUTHPORT, N.C. — Authorities are continuing to investigate Saturday night’s mass shooting at the Southport Yacht Basin, where a gunman opened fire from a boat positioned along the Cape Fear River, killing three people and injuring at least nine others before fleeing toward Oak Island.
While law enforcement has not formally released the suspect’s identity, multiple reports have linked the name Nigel Max Edge, formerly known as Sean William DeBevoise, to the case.
A person matching the description of the shooter was detained shortly after the incident and is currently in custody for questioning, according to Southport Public Information Officer ChyAnn Ketchum.
Sean William DeBevoise, who later adopted the name Nigel Edge, is a former U.S. Marine who enlisted following the September 11th attacks.
Military records and personal accounts indicate that he served multiple deployments, including three tours in Afghanistan and a mission to Haiti.
In 2020, DeBevoise published a memoir titled “Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation (Truth Hurts)”. In the book, he recounts his upbringing in New York State, his passion for hunting in the Catskill Mountains with his father, and his pursuit of honor and service. He describes his wrestling years in high school, where he met his future wife Rachel, before joining the Marines.
The memoir details his combat deployment to Iraq in 2005, where he claims he was severely injured in what he describes as a friendly-fire incident. According to DeBevoise’s account, he was struck by four bullets, including one to the head, leaving him with lasting physical and psychological wounds. He alleges he was abandoned by fellow Marines in a warehouse, left to die after killing insurgents in combat.
DeBevoise’s writing conveys both a survivor’s determination and a deep distrust of the institutions he once served. He accuses the U.S. military of betrayal and asserts that his injuries were the result of jealousy and internal conflict rather than the enemy.
Beyond his memoir, DeBevoise—under the name Nigel Edge—became known for a series of unconventional legal filings. Federal court records show he represented himself in multiple lawsuits, many of which were dismissed.
His claims have included allegations of:
Being kidnapped and given a false identity and “planted family.”
Repeated attempts on his life through poisoning of both himself and his dog.
Being forced into sex trafficking, and naming figures such as Jeffrey Epstein, the LGBTQ community, and elements of the U.S. government and military in his accusations.
Tampering by North Carolina law enforcement in relation to his personal cases.
Medical neglect and interference, including altered prescriptions and encouragement of suicide, which he attributed to a “white supremacy–linked LGBTQ network.”
On social media, DeBevoise frequently expressed anger and frustration over what he described as a coordinated effort to silence him.
He also sought public donations to purchase a boat, which he later used for personal ventures.
On the night of the Southport Yacht shooting, witnesses reported a boat lingering in the water for nearly an hour across from the American Fish Company restaurant before gunfire erupted at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The assailant opened fire on patrons at the restaurant, leaving three dead and several injured, before fleeing up the Intracoastal Waterway.
The U.S. Coast Guard later intercepted a suspect matching the shooter’s description at the NE 55th Street public boat ramp in Oak Island.
A spotted dog seen onboard matched images posted previously on DeBevoise’s (Nigel Edge’s) social media.
Sean DeBevoise once attended the 2012 CMT Awards as country singer Kellie Pickler’s date. In later years, he filed a lawsuit against Pickler, alleging that she had attempted to kill him.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect is in custody, though they have not yet released his official identity.
The investigation is ongoing, with the Southport Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agencies involved.
Southport Police Chief Todd Coring confirmed that four gunshot victims were transported to Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington and two others to Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport.
Southport Public Information Officer ChyAnn Ketchum emphasized that the case remains in the “immediate response stage” and that formal announcements regarding the suspect’s identity and charges will be made directly by the city.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.