Three killed in boat attack at Southport bar, suspect in custody

A gunman opened fire from a boat outside a waterfront bar in Southport, North Carolina, late Saturday, killing three people and wounding at least five others, officials said. The attack occurred at the American Fish Company along the Cape Fear River at about 9:30 p.m., and a person matching the suspect’s description was later detained at a public boat ramp in neighboring Oak Island, city officials said.

Southport police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, who was arrested by U.S. Coast Guard personnel and is being held without bond at the Brunswick County Detention Center. Edge has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder and several counts of assault with a deadly weapon, officials said. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 13. Authorities said a motive remains unclear.

Chief Todd Coring of the Southport Police Department said investigators believe the attack was planned in advance. He described the incident as "highly premeditated," according to a statement from the department. Court documents and police accounts say the shooter piloted a small boat close to the dockside restaurant, stopped...