Former Marine and Purple Heart veteran charged in deadly shootings at North Carolina outdoor bar.
A former Marine has been charged with murder following a tragic shooting incident at an outdoor bar in Southport, North Carolina, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to five others. Nigel Max Edge, 40, a Purple Heart recipient and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, is accused of executing a “highly premeditated” attack on Saturday night at the American Fish Company.
Edge, who is reported to have combat experience that includes serving as a sniper, appeared in court on Monday and was charged with multiple counts of murder. He did not enter a plea during the hearing and has been scheduled for a follow-up court appearance on October 13. Authorities have characterized the act as deliberate, but they have yet to disclose the motive behind his selection of the crowded bar as his target.
According to Southport Police Chief Todd Coring, Edge has claimed to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. This assertion has sparked conversations regarding the mental health struggles faced by many military veterans. Edge, who served in Iraq, reportedly suffered a significant injury in 2006 when he was shot in the head. Remarkably, after being initially told that he would be confined to a wheelchair for life, he was able to walk again by 2017, albeit with the assistance of a cane.
Immediately following the shooting, Edge allegedly fled the scene, escaping in a boat. He was apprehended shortly thereafter by a U.S. Coast Guard crew while attempting to remove the boat from the water, and subsequently turned over to local law enforcement authorities. The American Fish Company, which is known for its live music and social atmosphere, remains closed as the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence.
Prior to this incident, Edge had a brief moment in the spotlight when he escorted country music singer Kellie Pickler to the CMT Music Awards in 2019. Known as Sean DeBevoise before changing his name in 2023, Edge’s narrative now intertwines with a tragic event that has left a significant mark on the Southport community.
As investigations continue, many are left questioning the circumstances that led to the violence, as well as the broader implications for mental health support among veterans. The small town of Southport confronts an unsettling reality as it aims to heal from the effects of this devastating incident.
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