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3 killed after gunman on boat opens fire at Southport, NC restaurant

Published on

September 27, 2025

Credit: WECT

A gunman on a boat has opened fire at a restaurant at the Southport Yacht Basin in North Carolina, killing at least 3 people and injuring 8 others, according to local officials. A person of interest is being questioned by police.

The incident happened just before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday when officers were called for an active shooter who was firing from a boat in the Southport Yacht Basin, targeting the American Fish Company, a pub and restaurant.

Southport is about 20 miles south of Wilmington.

ChyAnn Ketchum, a spokeswoman for the City of Southport, said 3 people were killed in the shooting and 8 others were injured. There was no immediate word on the conditions of those injured.

The suspect’s boat had been stationary in the water for about an hour before someone opened fire, according to the State Port Pilot, a local newspaper. It said the boat traveled up the Intracoastal Waterway after the shooting, heading to Oak Island.

Southport City Manager Noah Saldo said no arrests had been made yet, but by 11:30 p.m., police were questioning a person of interest. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police at 910-457-7911.