SOUTHPORT, N.C. — Authorities are continuing to investigate Saturday night’s mass shooting at the Southport Yacht Basin, where a gunman opened fire from a boat positioned along the Cape Fear River, killing three people and injuring at least nine others before fleeing toward Oak Island.
While law enforcement has not formally released the suspect’s identity, multiple reports have linked the name Nigel Max Edge, formerly known as Sean William DeBevoise, to the case.
A person matching the description of the shooter was detained shortly after the incident and is currently in custody for questioning, according to Southport Public Information Officer ChyAnn Ketchum.
Sean William DeBevoise, who later adopted the name Nigel Edge, is a former U.S. Marine who enlisted following the September 11th attacks.
Military records and personal accounts indicate that he served multiple deployments, including three tours in Afghanistan and a mission to Haiti. In 2020, DeBevoise published a memoir titled “Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation (Truth Hurts)”. In the book, he recounts his upbringing in New York State, his passion for hunting in the Catskill Mountains with his father, and his pursuit of honor and service. He describes his wrestling years in high school, where he met his future wife Rachel, before joining the Marines.
The memoir details his combat deployment to Iraq in 2005, where he claims he was severely injured in what he describes as a friendly-fire incident. According to DeBevoise’s account, he was struck by four bullets, including one to the head, leaving him with lasting physical and psychological wounds. He alleges he was abandoned by fellow Marines in a warehouse, left to die after killing insurgents in combat.
DeBevoise’s writing conveys both a survivor’s determination and a deep distrust of the institutions he once served. He accuses the U.S. military of betrayal and asserts that his injuries were the result of jealousy and internal conflict rather than the enemy.
Beyond his memoir, DeBevoise—under the name Nigel Edge—became known for a series of unconventional legal filings. Federal court records show he represented himself in multiple lawsuits, many of which were dismissed.
His claims have included allegations of: Being kidnapped and given a false identity and “planted family.” Repeated attempts on his life through poisoning of both himself and his dog.
On social media, DeBevoise frequently expressed anger and frustration over what he described as a coordinated effort to silence him. He also sought public donations to purchase a boat, which he later used for personal ventures.
On the night of the Southport Yacht shooting, witnesses reported a boat lingering in the water for nearly an hour across from the American Fish Company restaurant before gunfire erupted at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The assailant opened fire on patrons at the restaurant, leaving three dead and several injured, before fleeing up the Intracoastal Waterway. The U.S. Coast Guard later intercepted a suspect matching the shooter’s description at the NE 55th Street public boat ramp in Oak Island.
A spotted dog seen onboard matched images posted previously on DeBevoise’s (Nigel Edge’s) social media.
Sean DeBevoise once attended the 2012 CMT Awards as country singer Kellie Pickler’s date. In later years, he filed a lawsuit against Pickler, alleging that she had attempted to kill him.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect is in custody, though they have not yet released his official identity. The investigation is ongoing, with the Southport Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agencies involved.
Southport Public Information Officer ChyAnn Ketchum emphasized that the case remains in the “immediate response stage” and that formal announcements regarding the suspect’s identity and charges will be made directly by the city.
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