Crime
Who is Sean DeBevoise? Background on the Unconfirmed Southport Yacht Basin Shooting Suspect Nigel Edge
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.
Crime
New Mexico Teen Darren Munoz Charged With Orchestrating Parents’ Murders in Alleged Financial Plot
A 19-year-old New Mexico man is facing multiple murder-related charges after authorities allege he arranged the killings of his father and stepmother as part of a plan to gain control of their finances and property.
Darren Munoz, 19, is accused of recruiting a friend, 18-year-old Julio Zamora, to carry out the fatal shootings of Oscar Munoz, 58, and Dina Munoz, 71, inside the family’s home in Clovis, New Mexico—located more than 200 miles east of Albuquerque.
Both suspects were taken into custody on Monday, December 15.
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators believe the killings were premeditated and planned over the course of weeks or months. Authorities allege Munoz intended to seize his parents’ assets and financial holdings and believed his father owned an Allsups convenience store franchise, a chain operating hundreds of locations across Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Prosecutors allege the plan called for Zamora to enter the residence through the garage during the early morning hours and shoot both victims while they slept.
Investigators also identified a second individual as a potential backup should Zamora fail to carry out the plan.
Police were dispatched to the Clovis residence at approximately 4:50 a.m. on December 15 after receiving a report of a possible burglary.
Upon arrival, officers found Munoz standing near the open garage.
According to police, Munoz told officers there was no emergency and attempted to dissuade them from entering the home, stating his parents were asleep.
Officers were eventually permitted inside the residence.
Investigators state that Munoz later emerged from a bedroom with blood on his hands.
Both Oscar and Dina Munoz had sustained gunshot wounds to the head. Dina Munoz was pronounced dead at the scene, while Oscar Munoz was transported to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where he later died from his injuries.
Munoz reportedly told investigators he was awakened by the sound of the garage door alarm but claimed he did not hear any gunshots.
Authorities noted that this account appeared inconsistent with the home’s layout.
Investigators also reported there were no signs of forced entry and no evidence that property had been stolen.
Additional evidence surfaced during the investigation, including statements from Munoz’s girlfriend, who told police he had previously discussed trading an AR-style rifle for another firearm.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Munoz carrying a 9mm Glock handgun several hours before the killings. Investigators also confirmed that Munoz, Zamora, and others had recently purchased 9mm ammunition together.
Zamora was later arrested outside his residence, where authorities recovered a 9mm Glock handgun believed to have been used in the murders.
Investigators allege Zamora admitted that Munoz asked him to kill his parents.
Darren Munoz is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
Julio Zamora faces two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas as the case proceeds through the court system.