North Carolina authorities have a “possible suspect” in custody after a gunman fired shots from a boat into a restaurant, killing three people and injuring at least six others in the Southport Yacht Basin on Saturday night.
The deadly shooting took place in Southport, North Carolina, at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at the American Fish Company restaurant.
Southport’s public information officer said a boat with a single occupant on the Cape Fear River paused briefly in front of the restaurant and opened fire, killing three patrons and injuring multiple others.
The boat then sped off in the direction of the Intracoastal Waterway towards neighboring Oak Island.
ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORTED ON THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S COLUMBIA CAMPUS
The U.S. Coast Guard observed a single individual matching the description of the shooter loading their boat at a public ramp in Oak Island shortly after 10 p.m.
The Coast Guard crew detained the suspect, who is now in the custody of the Oak Island Police Department. The suspect will be turned over to the Southport Police Department for questioning.
“We don’t feel like there’s any additional threats to the community right now,” Southport Police Chief Todd Coring told reporters during a press conference. “We’re working with neighboring Oak Island with a possible suspect.”
City officials were earlier urging residents to avoid the area, remain indoors and report suspicious activity to police.
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office said it is assisting the City of Southport Police Department along with the FBI, ATF and the District Attorney’s Office.
Southport is approximately 30 miles south of Wilmington. The Southport Yacht Basin has several bars and restaurants.
