Crime
Nigel Max Edge Identified as Suspect in American Fish Company Shooting at Southport Yacht Basin
SOUTHPORT, N.C. — Authorities have identified the suspect in Saturday night’s mass shooting at the American Fish Company in the Southport Yacht Basin as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge of Oak Island, North Carolina.
Edge, a former U.S. Marine veteran, is accused of opening fire from a boat anchored on the Cape Fear River around 9:30 p.m., killing three people and injuring at least nine others.
Witnesses say patrons were dining and socializing at the popular waterfront restaurant when shots suddenly rang out, creating chaos along the busy marina district.
Investigators confirm that Edge, who was accompanied by a spotted dog on board, allegedly used a short-barrel AR-style rifle equipped with a suppressor, folding stock, and scope to carry out the attack.
Following the shooting, he fled by boat toward Oak Island.
The U.S. Coast Guard later detained a man matching his description at the NE 55th Street public boat ramp, taking him into custody without further incident. He is currently being held at the Brunswick County Jail without bond.
According to court filings, Edge faces 13 felony charges, including:
- Three counts of first-degree murder
- Five counts of attempted first-degree murder
- Five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury
Authorities continue to investigate whether additional charges will follow as evidence is processed.
Warrants also list Edge’s Oak Island residence on NW 10th Street. Satellite and Google images of the property reportedly show a boat named “Game On” parked in his driveway.
Photos taken at the scene of the Southport shooting appear to show the same boat moored in the Yacht Basin during the attack.
Nigel Max Edge was born Sean William DeBevoise before later adopting the name he now uses.
Following the September 11th attacks, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving multiple tours in Afghanistan and Haiti, as well as a deployment to Iraq in 2005–2006.
During his Iraq deployment, Edge was seriously wounded in combat, claiming to have survived a friendly-fire incident in which he was struck four times, including once in the head. His military injuries left him with lasting physical and psychological trauma.
He briefly entered the public eye in 2012 when he was invited by country singer Kellie Pickler to attend the CMT Music Awards as her date, in recognition of his service and later sued her.
Edge also authored a memoir in 2020, titled Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation (Truth Hurts), in which he described his upbringing in New York State, his service in the Marines, and his deep disillusionment with the military. The book alleges that he was betrayed by his own comrades and abandoned on the battlefield.
In recent years, Edge (formerly DeBevoise) gained a reputation for filing numerous unconventional lawsuits, most of which were dismissed. Federal and state court records show he frequently represented himself.
Across legal documents and social media posts, he claimed:
He was given a false identity and a “fake family.”
He survived multiple assassination attempts and poisonings, including the killing of his dog.
He was forced into sex trafficking, naming high-profile figures such as Jeffrey Epstein, along with alleged ties to the LGBTQ community and elements of U.S. law enforcement and the military.
North Carolina police tampered with evidence and obstructed his access to justice.
Doctors and medical providers deliberately interfered with his treatment, altering medications and encouraging self-harm.
In his writings, he often linked these claims to what he described as an “LGBTQ white-supremacy network” working against him.
According to Southport Police Chief Todd Coring, Edge’s boat lingered in the Cape Fear River for nearly an hour before the shooting began.
Around 9:30 p.m., Edge allegedly opened fire directly toward the American Fish Company, striking patrons at the restaurant and along the marina.
Emergency response was immediate. Four victims were transported to Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, while two others were taken to Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport.
Despite efforts, three victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene or in hospital care.
Brunswick County District Attorney Jon David confirmed that multiple agencies—including the SBI, ATF, and Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office—are assisting Southport Police in the investigation.
Southport Public Information Officer ChyAnn Ketchum reported that the suspect was quickly detained and that there is no further credible threat to the public.
“This investigation remains in its immediate-response phase,” Ketchum said. “Further updates, including formal suspect identification and charges, will be provided by the City of Southport as they become available.”
Police continue to urge anyone with information to contact the Southport Police Department at (910) 457-7911.
ANGOON, Alaska — Roger Williams Jr., 35, was found dead Wednesday after he went missing during a cockle fishing trip near Angoon, Alaska, authorities said. Search teams found his body along the shore near Danger Reef Point after the U.S. Coast Guard discovered his empty boat the previous evening.
Alaska State Troopers said Angoon Search and Rescue found Williams shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday. Officials are transporting his remains to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. His family has also been notified.
Williams was last seen around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. He reportedly left the Angoon boat harbor in a red-and-silver, 16-foot Lund boat to go cockle fishing.
Cockle fishing involves collecting shellfish from coastal areas. Williams did not return as expected, and authorities later found his boat without anyone aboard.
Officials have not shared further details about his final movements or what happened during the trip.
At around 8 p.m. Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard found an empty 16-foot Lund skiff near the shoreline between Killisnoo Island and Angoon.
The discovery led to a search for Williams. Authorities looked for him after finding the boat with no one aboard.
Officials have not explained how the boat ended up near the shore or confirmed what caused Williams to disappear.
The U.S. Coast Guard joined local search-and-rescue teams and crews from Wrangell to look for Williams.
The teams continued their search after finding the empty boat on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Angoon Search and Rescue found Williams’ body near Danger Reef Point shortly before 1 p.m.
Authorities have not released details about the conditions during the search or the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
Alaska State Troopers said officials are transporting Williams’ remains to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Authorities have notified his next of kin.
Officials have not announced a cause of death. The medical examiner’s findings may provide more information about the circumstances of the incident.
The case remains under review as authorities work to determine what happened during Williams’ fishing trip.