SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) – Hundreds of people from Southport and surrounding communities gathered to pay their respects to the victims of a deadly mass shooting that took place in Southport on Saturday.

On Sept. 27, the Southport Police Department (SPD) responded to a shooting at American Fish Company that left three people dead and five injured.

A community prayer vigil was held on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Southport Baptist Church to honor the victims.

“Anything that happens to any of the residents is concerning us, tragic to us, happy for us,” said Southport resident Carol Bailey. “We feel all the emotions involved in the city. We all love this town, we all hate to see things like this happen to it. Everybody takes a piece of Southport home with them and this town is that important to us…our hearts are breaking for people that we don’t even know but we still care about it and that’s the Southport that we want to remember forever.”

SPD has arrested Nigel Edge in connection with the deadly shooting. He is set to make his first court appearance at 2 p.m. on Sept. 29.

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