BOLIVIA, NC — District Attorney Jon David’s office announced that prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Nigel Max Edge, the suspect charged in the September 2025 mass shooting at the American Fish Company in Southport – Brunswick County.
The capital declaration targets Edge, 40, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and combat sniper, who faces three counts of first-degree murder alongside multiple counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The shooting occurred at the popular outdoor Intracoastal Waterway venue, a staple for local residents and visitors known for live music and waterfront gatherings.
While prosecutors confirmed the state’s intent to pursue capital punishment, formal trial proceedings—including the mandatory Rule 24 capital hearing—remain stayed while Edge undergoes court-ordered psychiatric treatment.
The pause in proceedings follows rulings by Brunswick County Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow. Evaluations conducted by state forensic examiners at Central Regional Hospital and defense experts Dr. George Corbin and Dr. Jennifer Sapia concluded Edge suffers from fixed delusional beliefs, rendering him incapable of assisting in his defense.
Judge Disbrow ruled Edge incompetent to stand trial and ordered him into state custody for capacity restoration treatment. Edge is presently a guest at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, NC. Under North Carolina law, capital proceedings cannot advance while a defendant is legally incompetent. Trial schedules remain suspended pending an updated evaluation from state medical authorities.
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