A weekend shooting that left three people dead and five others injured was “highly premeditated” and targeted a waterfront North Carolina restaurant, officials said.

The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, at American Fish Company in Southport, a maritime town in the southeastern part of the state. The popular spot is known locally not only as a waterfront bar and restaurant, but also as a filming location for “Safe Haven,” the 2013 romantic thriller based on the Nicholas Sparks novel.

Investigators allege that 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge positioned himself in a white, center-console boat just off the restaurant’s deck before opening fire. At the time, live music was playing, and patrons were gathered along the bar’s waterfront area.

Authorities said chaos broke out as bullets struck people on the deck as patrons scrambled to safety. Edge, police said, sped away.

A man hugs a police officer in front of the American Fish Company following a fatal shooting that occurred the night before, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Southport, N.C.  (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

District Attorney Jon David said Sunday “a lot” of the victims were on vacation and were not Southport locals. 

“Sadly, a lot of the victims in this case appear to be not members of our community, but people who are here on vacation,” David said.

The filings also identify five victims by initials – JS, WP, JB, LB, and TL – tied to counts of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. In addition to those victims, three others were fatally shot during the attack, though their names have not yet been publicly released.

Nigel Max Edge was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting at American Fish Company restaurant in Southport, North Carolina, on Saturday Sept. 27, 2025. (Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office)

The 40-year-old suspect is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. He could face additional charges, including the death penalty. 

People place flowers in front of the American Fish Company following a fatal shooting that occurred the night before, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Southport, N.C.  (Chris Seward/AP Photo)

In a statement, American Fish Company said that it, along with the neighboring Frying Pan restaurant, would be closed indefinitely.

“Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this tragedy,” they said. “God bless Southport.”

A sign on a Mexican restaurant asks people to “Pray for Southport,” following a fatal shooting that occurred at the American Fish Company in the town the night before, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Southport, N.C. (Chris Seward/AP Photo)

Investigators from the Southport Police Department, Oak Island Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard are investigating. Forensic testing, including ballistics and autopsies, is ongoing.