Southport, North Carolina – A violent outburst shattered a peaceful evening at a bustling waterfront eatery here, leaving multiple individuals wounded after gunfire erupted from a boat that briefly approached the shore.
The incident unfolded late Saturday night near the American Fish Company restaurant, a popular dockside venue overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Around 10 p.m., a vessel maneuvered close to the establishment and unleashed a barrage of shots toward patrons gathered outside, witnesses and officials reported. The attackers then rapidly departed the scene, vanishing into the darkness of the waterway.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly to a chaotic tableau of injured diners seeking cover amid overturned tables and shattered glass. Local authorities confirmed that several victims sustained gunshot wounds, though exact numbers and conditions remained under wraps as medical teams triaged the casualties. No fatalities were immediately reported, but the toll underscored the brazen nature of the assault on an unsuspecting crowd enjoying a weekend meal.
City Manager Noah Saldo addressed the stunned community in a brief statement late Saturday, revealing that investigators had yet to identify or detain any perpetrators. “We are working tirelessly with local, state, and federal partners to piece together what happened and ensure those responsible face justice,” Saldo said, urging residents to come forward with any cellphone footage or tips.
The shooting has prompted a heightened law enforcement presence along Southport’s harbors, with the U.S. Coast Guard assisting in patrols to scan for the suspect boat. Preliminary inquiries suggest the attack may have stemmed from a targeted dispute, but motives remain unclear amid the ongoing probe.
This episode marks a jarring intrusion into the serene coastal lifestyle that defines this historic port town, population around 20,000. Community leaders expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, while the American Fish Company announced temporary closure to support healing and cooperate with detectives.
As dawn broke Sunday, yellow crime-scene tape fluttered in the breeze outside the restaurant, a stark reminder of vulnerability in paradise. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the effort, promising a thorough manhunt. Southport’s residents, known for their tight-knit resilience, now grapple with an unwelcome scar on their idyllic shores, awaiting answers in a case that has gripped the Carolinas.
-
-
-
-
