Former Marine Nigel Edge faces capital trial for 2025 Southport shooting

Brunswick County prosecutors disclosed they intend to pursue the death penalty against Nigel Max Edge, a former Marine who allegedly drove a small motorboat to a Southport dockside bar on Sept. 27, 2025, and opened fire with a short-barreled semiautomatic rifle, killing three and wounding several others. District Attorney Jon David acknowledged Edge's military service, traumatic brain injury, and mental-health issues, but said those factors must be weighed against the crime.

In April, Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow ordered Edge to receive psychiatric care after determining he could not understand the proceedings. Defense attorney Matthew Geoffrion filed a motion asserting Edge's brain injury makes a trial impossible, citing low chances of restoring his capacity. Prosecutors counter that experts at the state hospital believe restoration is likely and note that a capital case guarantees the defendant the highest level of legal protection. They added that if evidence of insanity emerges or if Edge never regains capacity, the death penalty would be removed from consideration.