‘Evil has come ashore’ Southport officials give update following mass shooting

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY-TV) — During a Sunday news conference at the Southport Community Center, city officials and local law enforcement shared updates following Saturday night’s mass shooting at the American Fish Company.

“Evil has come ashore in Southport, North Carolina,” David said. “Ironically enough at the very place which once served as a backdrop to the movie ‘Safe Haven'”

40-year-old Nigel Max Edge of Oak Island was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said Edge identifies as a combat veteran who suffers from PTSD after being injured while serving in the military. Coring said this was a premeditated act.

“This was a targeted location it would appear that he acted as a ‘lone wolf’ he acted alone,” Cording said.

Coring said calls starting coming in about the shooting around 9:30 pm. Within 30 minutes, Edge was taken into custody by coast guard at the 55th street boat access in Oak Island.

Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris said the suspect’s white center console boat was searched, along with his vehicle and home. Investigators say they recovered the assault rifle used during the shooting along with additional weapons

The district attorney confirmed Edge had legally changed his name and formerly went by Sean Debevoise.

Morris said his department was familiar with Debevoise through lawsuits he had filed against the town and police department.

“We were familiar with Sean he has been a resident of Oak Island for several years, he frequently hung out on our pier, our employees knew him,” Morris said.

While the victims have not yet been identified as of Sunday afternoon, David said they all shared one connection.

The thread that connects everyone who’s a victim in this case to this point just appears to be the love of having a good time and enjoying all that Southport has to offer,” David said. “Sadly, a lot of the victims in this case appear to be not members of our community, but people who were here on vacation”