Southport unveils memorial one year after mass shooting that killed 3

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WWAY) — Sunday marks one year since a mass shooting in Southport killed three people and injured several others.

Southport city officials, first responders and community members gathered Sunday at Taylor Field Park to reflect on the shooting at American Fish Company and unveil a memorial honoring the victims and survivors.

Four trees were planted at the park to honor those killed and injured in the shooting.

The shooting killed 64-year-old Joy Rogers of Southport, 56-year-old Michael Durbin of Galena, Ohio, and 36-year-old Solomon Banjo of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The memorial was funded by Southport Cares, an organization formed in the aftermath of the shooting to support victims, survivors and others affected by the tragedy.

Tom Lott, founder of Southport Cares, said victims’ families and shooting survivors gathered Saturday for a private ceremony at the memorial.

“A lot of the victims families come from far away and from different states so a number of them came down yesterday and some of them had never been to Southport until yesterday,” Lott said.

Lott said the private gathering gave those affected by the shooting an opportunity to support one another.

“It was a tough day for them, but I think them being together and we had a private group, they are able to help each other out, they shared prayers and poems and spoke of their own journeys,” Lott said.

Since the shooting, Southport Cares has raised $353,000 to support victims’ families, survivors and employees of American Fish Company and The Frying Pan who were out of work.

“We’ve distributed over $302,000 of the funds raised, were keeping $30,000 as reserved for people who are still taking medical treatment and also to support memorials like you see here today,” Lott said.

Lott said the trees will serve as a lasting reminder of the people affected by the shooting.

“A lot of people make the point to never forget, say the victims names, always remember who they are and be there for them, and I think today as well as yesterday was a day to reinforce that and get people to remember it,” Lott said.

A judge ruled in April that shooting suspect Nigel Edge is not competent to stand trial. The state’s decision on whether to pursue the death penalty is on hold until his competency is restored.