3 killed and 8 injured in North Carolina waterfront bar shooting

September 28, 2025

3 killed and 8 injured in North Carolina waterfront bar shooting

Approximately 9:30 this evening we got calls uh to our 911 center about shots fired at the establishment that people were taking fire. Uh, as officers arrived and we’re on the way, we got multiple reports of an active shooter, uh, possibly coming from *** boat that was out in the intercoastal waterway. Um, we have multiple agencies that have responded to assist Southport tonight to include Oak Island, uh, Boiling Spring Lake, Charlotte, uh, the North Carolina SBI is here, uh, ATF is with us. The district attorney is here on site with us. Uh, multiple partners are here across the county in the state, so we’re certainly appreciative of that. Unfortunately we do have 3 deceased uh at the establishment that we are uh dealing with right now working *** crime scene and we have possibly 6 that are injured at local hospitals uh that are receiving treatment. Um, we don’t have the names and we’ll not be releasing any names right now due to notifications that need to be made to those families. Uh, we just ask that you keep the, uh, those that have been affected by this, uh, in your prayers and your thoughts, um, our community tonight, I want to say that I’m comfortable to say that there is no, um, we don’t feel like there’s any additional threats to the community right now, um, we’re working with neighbor in Oak Island with *** possible suspect, but we’ll have more information on that at *** later time.

Updated: 7:04 AM EDT Sep 28, 2025

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3 killed and 8 injured in North Carolina waterfront bar shooting

Updated: 7:04 AM EDT Sep 28, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Three people were killed and at least eight others wounded late Saturday when someone opened fire from a boat into a crowd gathered at a waterfront bar in a coastal town in North Carolina, authorities said.The shooting erupted about 9:30 p.m. near a popular stretch of bars and restaurants on Southport’s waterfront, a historic port town about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Wilmington. Investigators said the assailant piloted a small boat close to shore, stopped briefly and fired into the crowd before speeding away.Roughly half an hour later, a U.S. Coast Guard crew spotted a person matching the suspect’s description pulling a boat from the water at a public ramp on nearby Oak Island. The person was detained and turned over to Southport police for questioning, officials said.Authorities have not identified the suspect or said what might have led to the attack. Investigators from multiple agencies — including the State Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard — remained on the water and at the scene Sunday collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.Officials did not immediately release the names of those killed or provide information on the conditions of those who were wounded.

Three people were killed and at least eight others wounded late Saturday when someone opened fire from a boat into a crowd gathered at a waterfront bar in a coastal town in North Carolina, authorities said.

The shooting erupted about 9:30 p.m. near a popular stretch of bars and restaurants on Southport’s waterfront, a historic port town about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Wilmington. Investigators said the assailant piloted a small boat close to shore, stopped briefly and fired into the crowd before speeding away.

Roughly half an hour later, a U.S. Coast Guard crew spotted a person matching the suspect’s description pulling a boat from the water at a public ramp on nearby Oak Island. The person was detained and turned over to Southport police for questioning, officials said.

Authorities have not identified the suspect or said what might have led to the attack. Investigators from multiple agencies — including the State Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard — remained on the water and at the scene Sunday collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Officials did not immediately release the names of those killed or provide information on the conditions of those who were wounded.

 

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