The individual suspected of fatally shooting three people and wounding five others on Saturday night at American Fish Company in Southport, N.C., acted independently in what authorities describe as a “highly premeditated” assault.

Nigel Max Edge faces charges of three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder as he awaits an initial court hearing on Monday. Brunswick County District Attorney Jon David mentioned that the option of seeking the death penalty remains under consideration.

At a press briefing, David remarked, “Evil has come ashore in Southport, North Carolina. The fragile peace and calm that wrapped around this waterfront community were shattered last night,” emphasizing the impact of the incident.

Police responded to reports of gunshots in the vicinity around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. A U.S. Coast Guard patrol later intercepted a boat matching the description of the suspected shooter near the Oak Island Bridge approximately 30 minutes after the initial alert.

Edge was then detained.

While authorities have yet to disclose the names of the victims, as their families are being notified, David revealed that some were tourists enjoying a night under the stars with live music when Edge allegedly attacked with an assault rifle.

Southport Police Chief Todd Coring described the scene upon arrival, noting, “It was a very chaotic situation. Some individuals had left the area before officers arrived, and several of the injured sought medical attention at our local hospital on their own.”

Featured in the 2013 movie “Safe Haven,” Southport — located about 30 minutes from Wilmington — has a year-round population of less than 4,000 but attracts up to 50,000 visitors annually.

“We have close-knit community here. I certainly do not want this incident to define who we are,” Oak Island police chief Charles A. Morris II said. “This is a person that acted alone.”

Coring said Edge “self-identified” as a combat veteran with PTSD who was known to local police, but had no major criminal history.

Officials said Edge used an assault rifle in a targeted and “very premeditated” attack.