A former Marine charged with firing several fatal shots into a crowd at an outdoor North Carolina bar is a Purple Heart recipient with combat experience.
Nigel Max Edge, whose suspected of killing three people and wounding five others in what investigators called a “highly premeditated” attack Saturday night, is a 40-year-old veteran who served with a Wounded Warrior Battalion, according to CBS News.
He appeared in court Monday, where he was charged with murder after allegedly firing into revellers at the American Fish Company in Southport, N.C.; he did not enter a plea and was ordered back in court Oct. 13.
Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said Sunday the man suspected of pulling up to the bar in a boat and opening fire claims to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.
“We understand this suspect identifies as a combat veteran. He self-identifies. Injured in the line of duty is what he’s saying,” Coring said.
The Wilmington Star-News reported Edge was a sniper who was shot in his head while serving in Iraq in 2006. He was reportedly able to walk again in 2017 with a cane despite having been told he would spend his life in a wheelchair.
Authorities haven’t said how or why Edge selected his target in the heart of the historic Southport Yacht Basin.
He allegedly sped away from the crime scene after opening fire Saturday, but was spotted pulling his boat from the water by a U.S. Coast Guard crew a short time later and handed over to local law enforcement.
The American Fish Company, which features live music, remained closed Monday.
Edge enjoyed a brush with fame in 2019 when he escorted singer Kellie Pickler to the CMT Music Awards. He was known as Sean DeBevoise before changing his name in 2023, according to the Star-News.
With News Wire Services
