A deadly shooting at the American Fish Company in Southport, North Carolina, on September 27, 2025, left three people dead and six others injured, prompting a major law-enforcement response along the city’s waterfront.
The shooting occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. near the Southport Yacht Basin, where authorities said a person aboard a boat opened fire toward people gathered at the waterfront entertainment venue before fleeing by water.
The incident resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries and led to an extensive investigation involving local, state and federal agencies.
What Happened at American Fish Company in Southport?
According to authorities, gunfire erupted near the American Fish Company as people gathered at the waterfront.
Investigators said the shooter was aboard a boat and fired toward people at the venue before leaving the area by water.
The shooting prompted a significant emergency response as police and other agencies worked to secure the waterfront, assist victims and identify the person responsible.
The incident later became the subject of a multi-agency investigation involving the Southport Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Southport Shooting Victims Identified
Three people died as a result of the shooting.
The victims were identified as Joy Rogers, 64, of Southport; Solomon Banjo, 36, of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Michael Durbin, 56, of Galena, Ohio.
Six additional people were injured.
The injured victims were identified as Jackson Schurtz, William Parent, John Barlow, Lauren Buscher, Thomas Lafferty and Tammy Hirt-Huff.
City officials later reported that all six injured victims had been released from the hospital.
American Fish Company Shooting Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | American Fish Company, Southport, North Carolina |
| Area | Southport Yacht Basin |
| Date | September 27, 2025 |
| Time | Approximately 9:30 p.m. |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Injured | 6 |
| Suspect | Nigel Edge, 40 |
| Suspect’s hometown | Oak Island, North Carolina |
| Arrest location | Public boat ramp on Oak Island |
| Investigation | Southport Police, North Carolina SBI and U.S. Coast Guard |
Nigel Edge Arrested in Connection With Shooting
Authorities identified Nigel Edge, 40, of Oak Island, as the suspect in the shooting.
According to investigators, a U.S. Coast Guard crew later spotted a person matching the suspect’s description at a public boat ramp on Oak Island.
Edge was taken into custody and subsequently charged in connection with the shooting.
The charges listed in the available information include three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and five assault charges.
The criminal allegations remain subject to court proceedings. An arrest or criminal charge is not itself a finding of guilt.
Authorities Describe Shooting as Targeted
Investigators said Edge allegedly fired from a boat toward the waterfront crowd.
Authorities later described the location as targeted and characterized the attack as highly premeditated.
Those descriptions represent statements made as part of the investigation and should be distinguished from a final court determination.
Investigators continued working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting and the events leading up to the gunfire.
Multi-Agency Investigation Underway
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Southport police, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Authorities also sought information from witnesses and members of the public who may have photographs or videos from the Southport waterfront around the time of the shooting.
Evidence from the scene and information provided by witnesses could help investigators establish the sequence of events and strengthen the criminal case.
Three Families Left Mourning
The shooting resulted in the deaths of three people whose lives were connected to families, friends and communities in different places.
Joy Rogers was 64 and from Southport. Solomon Banjo was 36 and from Charlottesville, Virginia. Michael Durbin was 56 and from Galena, Ohio.
Six other victims survived their injuries, with city officials later confirming that all had been released from the hospital.
The human impact of the shooting extended beyond the waterfront scene, leaving families and friends to cope with the deaths and injuries that followed the attack.
Criminal Case Against Nigel Edge
The case against Nigel Edge remains part of the judicial process.
The charges filed against him stem from the September 27, 2025, shooting at the American Fish Company and include multiple murder, attempted murder and assault counts.
The allegations made by authorities will ultimately be addressed through the court system.
As proceedings continue, additional information may become available concerning the evidence, charges and circumstances surrounding the case.
Southport Remembers the 2025 Waterfront Shooting
The American Fish Company shooting became a major incident for Southport after gunfire at the waterfront left three people dead and six others injured.
The response involved local law enforcement, state investigators and the U.S. Coast Guard, while authorities worked to locate and arrest the suspect.
For the families of those who died and the people who survived the shooting, the events of September 27, 2025, remain a deeply significant part of their lives.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes information concerning the September 27, 2025, shooting at the American Fish Company in Southport, North Carolina. The criminal allegations against Nigel Edge remain subject to court proceedings, and an arrest or charge does not constitute a finding of guilt. Details may change as the legal case and investigation continue.