A gunman in a boat pulled up to the American Fish Company restaurant dock in the North Carolina coastal town of Southport’s Southport Yacht Basin Saturday night and opened fire, killing three and wounding eight according to a city official. The shooter escaped via the Intracoastal Waterway, however a person of interest was being interviewed according to a late update.
The City of Southport earlier posted an active shooter alert to Facebook at 9:53 p.m. EDT:, “There are reports of an active shooter in the Southport Yacht Basin. There is an unknown number of injuries. Avoid the area and remain in your homes. Please report any suspicious activity immediately to 911.”
Excerpt from the Wilmington Star News:
According to ChyAnn Ketchum, public information officer for the city of Southport, three people were killed and eight others were injured Saturday, Sept. 27.
Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, a boat pulled up to the American Fish Company restaurant dock, paused and then the shooter fired into the crowd, Ketchum said. The boat fled up the Intracoastal Waterway, she said.
Photos from the scene were posted by the Star News at their website:
Photos: Scenes from a shooting at American Fish Company in Southport https://t.co/UuQDfGcbLm
— StarNewsOnline (@StarNewsOnline) September 28, 2025
The Raleigh news Observer gave background on the location of the shooting (excerpt):
Southport is about 160 miles southeast of Raleigh and 32 miles south of Wilmington. The Southport Yacht Basin is on the Cape Fear River and is home to several riverfront restaurants.
American Fish Co. bills itself as Southport’s “best waterfront pub,” and was scheduled to have live music on its dock Saturday night.
Instagram video from earlier this summer showing the dockside restaurant:
The motto of the American Fish Company: Family, Friends, Freedom.
Late update via the Star News (excerpt):
During a press conference around 1 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said officials were working two crime scenes — one where the shooting took place in Southport and one where a person of interest was being questioned on Oak Island.
He said it’s too early to say what the motive might have been. He added that extra police patrol has been called into Southport.
North Carolina: “During a press conference around 1 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said officials were working two crime scenes — one where the shooting took place in Southport and one where a person of interest was being questioned on Oak Island.
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— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) September 28, 2025