“It’s going to be with you forever”: Southport aldermen react to mass shooting

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — It’s been over a week since a mass shooting in Southport disrupted life for many in this quiet, coastal community.

The city’s Board of Aldermen met for the first time publicly on Monday morning in the wake of this gun violence.

At times, there were displays of anger and emotion.

“We had a tragedy the other night and that will be with us forever,” Alderman Frank Lai said. “You will never get it out of your mind, there will never be such a thing as (slams fist on table), it doesn’t happen. It’s going to be with you forever.”

Some demanded red flag laws that would allow weapons to be confiscated from the mentally ill.

“North Carolina must approve red flag laws, laws that allow authorities to remove firearms from those who are mentally unstable or who are clearly in crisis. Southport can not be a not-in-my-backyard town.”

This is also something Governor Josh Stein called for in the days after the incident when he visited with local leaders.

“There are people in our community who people know are a risk, a risk to others, a risk to themselves, and they should not have firearms,” Stein said.

Southport Alderman Karen Mosteller thinks there needs to be more funding for mental health facilities.

“To send to our legislators and our governor to ask for respectful, honest conversations and to respond to the urgent need for expanded mental health resources, especially for veterans and others in crisis,” Mosteller said.

Alderman Marc Spencer said what happened here was due to a lack of support for those who are mentally fragile.

“How we as a society let a troubled young man, a casualty of war, slip through the cracks,” Spencer said. “Someone who served his country, but came home damaged. Numerous phone calls, reports, and warnings. The system failed to prevent this tragedy.”

Just as the gunman in this incident, as officials said, was suffering from PTSD, Spencer said something must be done.

“But we can’t ignore that there are others, people living amongst us who are struggling, who need help, who need to be seen, heard, and cared for. The challenge before us is how we address their needs and how we care about their outcomes.

Many here, including Mayor Rich Alt, feel true healing in the community will come as people get back to the routines they were doing before the shooting occurred.

“It’s best when the businesses start to open up,” Alt said. “I know some of the businesses have gotten some people more mad at them. I totally disagree. If you’ve been through these events, events before, you know getting back into life is the best therapy.”

A day of healing will be held on October 18th, with seven bands playing in the yacht basin area.

All proceeds will go to the victims.