SOUTHPORT — The number of injuries from last weekend’s shooting at American Fish Company, which also killed three people, has increased to six.
ALSO: Judge issues no bond for alleged Southport shooter, DA to begin death penalty review
CATCH UP: Officials release names of three dead in Southport shooting
The Town of Southport released the identifications of the three fatalities earlier this week, but the injured were not revealed. According to spokesperson ChyAnn Ketchum, it’s increased from five to six people, all released from the hospital, including:
- Jackson Schurtz, 38, Afton, VA
- William Parent, 64, Oak Island, NC
- John Barlow, 63, Amityville, NY
- Lauren Buscher, 54, Wheaton, IL
- Thomas Lafferty, 58, Oak Island, NC
- Tammy Hirt-Huff, 59, Oak Island, NC
The three people who were killed in the incident are:
- Solomon Banjo, 36, Charlottesville, VA
- Joy Rogers, 64, Southport, NC
- Michael Durbin, 56, Galena, OH
Nigel Max Edge is being held in Brunswick County Detention Center and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of common law-attempted first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon to inflict serious injury or death. The murder charges carry life sentences without parole or the death penalty, while attempted murder mandates up to 40 years in prison and the assault with a deadly weapon can garner around 19 years in prison.
Law enforcement have said they expect more charges to be brought forth, as the investigation is active. The suspect made his first court appearance this week where the judge ordered him be held without bond. Edge will be back in court on Oct. 13 for a probable cause hearing, which Ketchum told Port City Daily updated charges will be detailed then.
The district attorney, Jon David, has indicated he will begin a review for the potential death penalty.
David also suspects Edge has severe mental health issues due to injuries endured while serving in the Marine Corps, wherein he also received a Purple Heart. Edge details in his memoir, “Headshot,” he was shot in the head by friendly fire during deployment and has shrapnel in his brain still, causing nerve damage and PTSD.
David said in court this week during Edge’s first appearance he has not assessed the suspect’s medical records and mentioned Edge was a conspiracy theorist, with accusations detailed in multiple lawsuits the suspect has taken out against varied institutions and people, including Oak Island Police Department, Brunswick Medical Center and Generations Church. In them, Edge has accused other of attempting to poison him and conspiring against him in an LGBTQ and white supremacist pedophile ring.
Though he has executed civil suits, Edge doesn’t have a criminal record other than traffic tickets, David said.
Edge is an Oak Island resident and allegedly opened fire Saturday evening around 9:30 p.m. at Southport’s American Fish Company, located at 150 Yacht Basin Dr., using an AR rifle. Police confiscated it and other firearms from Edge’s boat, vehicle and residence. He was apprehended around 30 minutes after the incident at a boat ramp in Oak Island.
Authorities believe the shooting was premeditated and have witness accounts explaining Edge’s boat also was there on Friday night, though didn’t have its lights illuminated. However, numerous reports indicate he left after a nearby boat pulled up with its lights on.
He returned Saturday on his boat and was there for a while, again in the dark according to witnesses, before opening fire.
The Southport Police Department, Oak Island Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation and Brunswick County Sheriff’s Department all responded and the investigation continues.
Southport Police Chief Todd Coring released a statement Friday, expressing heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. He also addressed the community.
“Our city is grieving, and I know that shock, sadness, and anger are weighing heavily on all of us,” he wrote in a statement, released by the Town of Southport. “You will see a greater police presence throughout our city in the coming days and weeks, especially around the Waterfront and Yacht Basin corridor. Officers from across the county will be assisting Southport officers to increase police presence to restore a sense of safety in and around our city. I encourage you to speak with them if you have any concerns. Our greatest long-term protection against violence is a strong relationship built on trust between law enforcement and the community.”
Law enforcement asks anyone who was at American Fish Company on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, or Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, to share information, including videos or pictures, by calling (910) 457-7911.
PREVIOUS REPORTING ON THE SOUTHPORT SHOOTING
- Officials believe Southport shooting was ‘highly premeditated,’ witness speaks about incident
- ‘Tragic’: Southport PD chief confirms fatalities, injuries in waterfront shooting
- Man arrested for fatal shooting at Southport Yacht Basin
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