SOUTHPORT, N.C. — Authorities are intensifying their investigation into Saturday night’s mass shooting at the Southport Yacht Basin, where a gunman opened fire from a boat along the Cape Fear River, killing three people and injuring at least nine others before fleeing toward Oak Island.
Police say a person matching the description of the shooter was quickly detained and is now in custody for questioning. While officials have not formally confirmed his identity, multiple reports and military records link the suspect to Nigel Max Edge, formerly known as Sean William DeBevoise — a former Marine with a complicated past and a history of outspoken allegations against the institutions he once served.
The Night of the Shooting
The attack unfolded just before 9:30 p.m. Saturday, as dozens of patrons gathered at the American Fish Company, a popular waterfront pub and restaurant. Witnesses told investigators that a boat lingered in the water for nearly an hour before gunfire erupted, sending customers diving for cover.
Chaos quickly spread through the marina. Three people were killed instantly, while nine others were rushed to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.
After the shooting, the suspect fled up the Intracoastal Waterway, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a man matching the shooter’s description at the NE 55th Street public boat ramp on Oak Island. A dog seen aboard the vessel matched photos previously posted on DeBevoise’s social media accounts, strengthening the connection.
Who Is Sean William DeBevoise, aka Nigel Max Edge?
Born in New York State, Sean William DeBevoise enlisted in the U.S. Marines following the September 11th terrorist attacks. Military records and accounts from his own memoir show he completed multiple deployments, including three tours in Afghanistan, one in Iraq, and a humanitarian mission in Haiti.
In 2005, while serving in Iraq, DeBevoise claims he suffered life-altering injuries in what he described as a friendly-fire incident. According to his account, he was struck by four bullets — one to the head — and left for dead in a warehouse after a firefight with insurgents. He alleged that fellow Marines abandoned him out of jealousy and internal disputes, an accusation that fed his long-standing distrust of the military establishment.
The Memoir: Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation
In 2020, under the name Nigel Edge, he published a self-written memoir titled “Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation (Truth Hurts).”
The book recounts his early life in the Catskill Mountains, where he grew up hunting with his father, his high school wrestling career, and meeting his future wife, Rachel, before embarking on his Marine career.
But the memoir is most striking for its sharp tone of anger and betrayal. DeBevoise accused the U.S. military of turning its back on him after his injuries, painting himself as a survivor both physically and psychologically scarred.
Legal Filings and Controversial Claims
In the years after his service, DeBevoise — under the name Nigel Edge — became known for filing unconventional lawsuits, often representing himself in federal court. Many of these cases were dismissed, but they reveal a pattern of increasingly extreme claims.
Among them:
- Allegations of being forced into sex trafficking, where he named high-profile figures including Jeffrey Epstein.
- Accusations against the LGBTQ community, the U.S. government, and military officials of conspiring against him.
- Claims of medical neglect and tampering, including altered prescriptions and efforts to push him toward suicide.
- Charges of law enforcement corruption in North Carolina, which he said interfered with his personal cases.
On social media, Edge frequently voiced anger, paranoia, and frustration, warning of coordinated attempts to silence him. He also sought donations to purchase a boat — the same kind of vessel authorities believe was used in Saturday’s attack.
A Life in the Public Eye
Despite his troubled later years, DeBevoise occasionally surfaced in the public spotlight. In 2012, he attended the CMT Awards as the date of country singer Kellie Pickler. But even that connection ended contentiously. In later years, he filed a lawsuit against Pickler, accusing her of attempting to kill him — a case that was dismissed.
The Investigation Continues
As of Sunday, officials are urging caution as they sort through the suspect’s past and determine whether he will face formal charges.
“We are conducting a careful and thorough investigation,” said Southport Public Information Officer ChyAnn Ketchum. “While we recognize public interest in this case, we will only release verified information. Our focus remains on the victims and their families.”
For Southport — a quiet, tight-knit town about 20 miles south of Wilmington — the tragedy has left residents shaken. Flowers and candles now line the waterfront outside the American Fish Company, where a community continues to grieve and search for answers.
Reported by NewsPulse Reporter | NewsPulse Media