New Details Emerge After Suspect in North Carolina Bar Shooting Leaves 3 Dead – What We Know about Nigel Max Edge, 40

A former Marine's past — marked by war, public appearances, and personal turmoil — has now come under national scrutiny after a deadly night in coastal North Carolina.

A peaceful waterfront evening turned deadly on Saturday when a gunman opened fire from a boat, killing three people and injuring five others near a crowded bar in Southport, North Carolina. Authorities have identified the suspect as Nigel Max Edge, 40, and described the incident as a deliberate and calculated act.

In the days since the shooting, attention has also turned to his personal history, which includes comments from his ex-wife, a resurfaced photo with a country music star, and a legal complaint Edge filed earlier this year.

Shooting Reported near Waterfront Bar

Police were called to the scene at the American Fish Co. around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, following multiple reports of gunfire coming from the water. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as bar patrons scrambled for safety.

The U.S. Coast Guard detained Edge on Sunday, September 28. According to Southport Police Chief Todd Coring, Edge acted alone.

"This is highly premeditated, from what we're seeing at this time, and we feel there are no other threats to our community," Coring said. The names of the three people killed have not been released.

Charges Filed and Court Appearance

Edge has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, prosecutors said.

He appeared for a court hearing on Monday, September 29, in Brunswick County, where a judge ordered that he be held without bond. His public defender stated that Edge would invoke his Fifth Amendment right, and no plea was entered.

During the hearing, prosecutors revealed that Edge had allegedly attempted the shooting one night earlier, on Friday, September 26, but left the area after being confronted by another boater for not using navigation lights. Authorities said he returned the following night and carried out the attack.

Assistant District Attorney Jenna Earley told the court that Edge initially denied involvement, but later made incriminating statements. Investigators also found that he subscribed to conspiracy theories, including some involving people personally known to him.

Military Background and Mental Health

Edge is reportedly a "self-described" combat veteran. He is a former Marine who served from 2003 to 2009 as a scout sniper, deploying twice to Iraq and reaching the rank of sergeant.

He was formerly known as Sean William Debevoise, and records show he legally changed his name in 2023. His record includes multiple commendations, such as the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and two Bronze Stars under the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Authorities said Edge suffered combat-related injuries and has post-traumatic stress disorder. He has also been reported to experience ongoing mental health challenges.

Given the ex-Marine's history, District Attorney John David stated there was "nothing about his criminal background which suggests he could perpetrate such horrendous crimes."

Ex-Wife Breaks Silence on Suspect's Decline and Troubled Past

Edge's ex-wife, Rachel Crowl, told NBC News that she had not spoken to him in more than a decade. Their divorce was finalized in 2009. She revealed he had been "crying out for help for a long time" regarding his behavior and mental health.

She said her ex-husband's actions were wrong and expressed sorrow for the families affected. "I'm sad nobody helped him and this could have maybe been prevented," Crowl added.

Photo, Fame, and Legal Allegations: Country Star Connection Fuels Interest in Shooting Suspect

In the aftermath of the shooting, a 2012 photo of Edge attending the Country Music Television (CMT) Awards with singer Kellie Pickler resurfaced online. Originally posted by Pickler on X, the image quickly drew attention and prompted a flurry of stunned reactions from users.

"So...... how was the date?" someone else questioned. Another commented simply, "Whoa." A third remarked, "Alleged North Carolina shooter in better times. I wonder what better living through science he has been doing since this..." while another added, "Insane lore."

The resurfaced photo wasn't the only link between Edge and the country star. In February 2025, Edge posted on Facebook what appeared to be a copy of a federal complaint he filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

In it, he accused Pickler of committing a hate crime and attempting to murder him during the 2012 Country Music Awards. The version Edge shared also listed Jeff Frasco of Creative Artists Agency.

The official court docket confirms that Pickler was named in the filing, though it does not list Frasco as a co-defendant. The case appears unresolved, and no supporting evidence has been made public.

The Southport tragedy was followed by another, when a different ex-Marine unleashed violence inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, on September 28.

Authorities have identified the attacker as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a resident of nearby Burton.

The suspect, according to the police, rammed a truck into the curch, opened fire, and deliberately set the building ablaze. Fire crews from the township extinguished the flames within an hour.

More Victims Feared Dead as Search Continues

According to Fox News, four people have died: two were killed by gunfire, while the other two were found after the fire. Seven of the injured are in stable condition, and one remains in critical condition. CNN noted that children were among the wounded.

The church building, now considered a total loss, has not been fully searched due to safety concerns. Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said investigators believe more victims may be found once the building is fully cleared.

"We do believe that there were people up there that were near that fire and they were unable to get out of the church," Renye said.

Officials have not confirmed a motive, but the investigation is now a full-scale operation, with local police swarming Sanford's home, collecting digital devices, and digging into his past.

Authorities' Discovery of the Suspect’s Identity

The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed that Sanfard served as a Marine from 2004 to 2008, completing multiple combat deployments to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He held positions as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator, ending his service at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Sanford is also a decorated Marine. He earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

As investigators continue to look into his past, the community he tore apart is struggling to process the horror he left behind.

A Congregation Member Reacts to Tragic Attack

Paula, a church member for nearly 40 years, told WXYZ Detroit she was listening to a counselor speak when she heard a loud noise and saw a door burst open.

In a state of confusion, many were unsure whether to take cover. "I didn't know what was going on and I didn't know if we were going to have to get down because we couldn't see anybody. We couldn't see," she explained.

The building she once worshipped in is now blackened and broken, and Paula, like so many others, is left searching for answers and solace. "It's devastating to know that I've lost friends and to see somebody would do this to our church," she shared.

National Leaders Respond with Fury, Sorrow, and Calls for Prayer

The attack prompted swift responses from political leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump, who learned about the tragic news, wrote on Truth Social, "This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do."

He said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) responded to the scene, will lead the investigation, and is coordinating with local and state authorities. "In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!" he added.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi confirmed that federal agents were on the move, writing on X that she was being briefed on the situation. She described the violence at a place of worship as tragic and asked the public to pray for the victims.

Vice President JD Vance echoed the sorrow, calling the attack deeply troubling and affirming the administration was monitoring the situation closely while standing with both victims and first responders.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the motive behind the attack. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc remains closed.