Gunman Opens Fire on Waterfront Restaurant Patrons
New details: Multiple Dead in North Carolina Boat Shooting
A gunman opened fire from a boat on diners at a popular Southport, N.C. waterfront restaurant late Saturday, killing three and injuring at least eight. Authorities say the suspect was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard soon after the attack, ending an hours-long scare that shook the coastal tourist town.
Three people were killed and at least eight others injured late Saturday night when a gunman on a boat opened fire on diners at a waterfront restaurant in the Southport Yacht Basin, authorities confirmed early Sunday. A suspect matching the shooter's description was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard shortly after the attack, with police stating there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The shooting unfolded around 9:30 p.m. at the American Fish Company, a popular open-air bar and pub at 150 Yacht Basin Drive, where the Cape Fear River meets the Intracoastal Waterway. Southport Police Chief Todd Coring described how a single occupant on a white center console boat paused in front of the dockside venue before unleashing gunfire into the crowd. The assailant then sped away toward the Intracoastal Waterway in the direction of neighboring Oak Island, prompting an immediate multi-agency response.
City officials issued an urgent alert on social media around 9:53 p.m., warning of an "active shooter" and urging residents to shelter in place and report suspicious activity to 911. "Avoid the area and remain in your homes," the Southport Police Department posted on Facebook, as emergency lights flashed along the waterfront visible on local webcams.
The U.S. Coast Guard spotted the suspect, a single individual matching the description, loading the boat at a public ramp on NE 55th Street in Oak Island around 10 p.m. The individual was detained and transferred to Oak Island Police, who are holding them pending questioning by Southport authorities and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). No motive has been released, but Chief Coring reassured the public Sunday morning: "I’m comfortable to say that we don’t feel like there’s any additional threats to the community."
The victims, who have not been publicly identified, were among a crowd enjoying the riverside spot known for its seafood and views where the Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River, and Atlantic Ocean converge. Several injured individuals were transported to hospitals, though their conditions remain undisclosed. The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office assisted in the response, securing the scene as investigators combed the marina.
Social media lit up with breaking alerts and eyewitness videos shortly after the gunfire, showing chaos as patrons fled the outdoor deck. Posts described the "terrifying" scene, with one video capturing the boat's approach and rapid departure. Reactions poured in with prayers for victims and calls for swift justice, amid broader concerns over gun violence at public venues.
Southport, a coastal city of about 4,100 residents roughly 20 miles south of Wilmington, is a serene tourist hub that now grapples with this shocking act of violence. The SBI is leading the probe, with updates expected as more details emerge on the suspect and motive.