Retired mother Joy Rogers identified among 3 killed as Nigel Max Edge charged in Southport waterfront massacre
Joy Rogers, a 64-year-old newly retired mother of three who moved to Southport from California about a year ago, was identified as one of three people fatally shot (along with Solomon Banjo, 36, and Michael Durbin, 56) when a gunman opened fire at the American Fish Company waterfront restaurant Sept. 27, wounding at least eight others. Authorities charged Nigel Max Edge (who has also used the name Nigel Edge and previously changed his name from Sean DeBevoise) with three counts of first‑degree murder and multiple counts of attempted first‑degree murder after investigators say he approached by boat, fired into the crowd, fled by boat and was later detained after the U.S. Coast Guard spotted a person matching the description; he is being held without bond and is due in court Oct. 13.
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🔍 Key Facts
- On the night of Sept. 27, 2025, a gunman approached the Southport waterfront by small boat and opened fire near the American Fish Company around 9:30 p.m., killing three people and wounding at least eight others.
- The three people killed were identified as Joy Rogers, 64, of Southport; Solomon Banjo, 36, of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Michael Durbin, 56, of Galena, Ohio. Prosecutors said at least one wounded victim was 'clinging for their life.'
- Joy Rogers was a newly retired mother of three who moved to Southport from California about a year earlier; family and her church described her as a devoted, faith‑driven community member.
- Authorities say the suspect is Nigel Max Edge (also reported as Nigel Edge), 40 (state records have also listed him as 41), who previously changed his name from Sean DeBevoise in 2023 and reportedly 'self‑identifies' as a veteran with PTSD.
- A U.S. Coast Guard crew spotted a person matching the suspect description loading/pulling a boat at an Oak Island public ramp roughly half an hour after the shooting; that person was detained and turned over to Southport police.
- Edge has been charged with three counts of first‑degree murder and five counts of attempted first‑degree murder; a judge ordered him held without bond (citing flight risk and danger), he requested a public defender, and he is scheduled for a probable‑cause hearing on Oct. 13, 2025; prosecutors said they may seek the death penalty.
- Arrest affidavits and reporting allege the attacker used an AR‑style/.300 Blackout Sig Sauer rifle fitted with a suppressor and scope and also had a .380 handgun.
- Investigators say cellphone video from the night before shows a boat and a man ducking behind cover; prosecutors believe that footage may have caused the assailant to abort an earlier attempt, and witnesses credited the filming with potentially saving lives.
📍 Contextual Background
- Law enforcement agencies respond to active shooter incidents and may engage and neutralize suspects at the scene.
- The Republican-controlled North Carolina legislature approved, in September 2025, a criminal justice package that would bar cashless bail in many circumstances and limit the discretion of magistrates and judges.
- A crime statistician testified that rates of murder and violent crime were falling nationwide and in Charlotte after increases early in the 2020s (as of 2025-09-29).
📰 Sources (8)
Authorities identify those killed in weekend North Carolina bar shooting
New information:
- Full identification of all three victims by name, age and home: Joy Rogers, 64, of Southport; Solomon Banjo, 36, of Charlottesville, Virginia; Michael Durbin, 56, of Galena, Ohio
- Detail that the suspect (Nigel Edge) previously changed his name from Sean DeBevoise in 2023
- Arrest circumstances: Coast Guard spotted him pulling a boat at an Oak Island ramp about half an hour after the shooting
- Specific alleged weapon details from the arrest warrant: an AR-style rifle with a silencer and scope
- Next court date for the defendant: Oct. 13, 2025
Victims in deadly shooting at North Carolina waterfront bar identified
New information:
- Full identification of all three victims with ages and hometowns: Solomon Banjo, 36, Charlottesville, VA; Joy Rogers, 64, Southport, NC; Michael Durbin, 56, Galena, OH.
- Vigil scheduled date: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 at the Southport Waterfront to honor victims.
- Quote and personal details from Lennie Rogers (husband of Joy Rogers) describing her as a devoted wife and loving mother; confirming she recently retired to Southport.
- Specific charge counts listed in this source and confirmation that a judge ordered the accused held without bond; prosecutors stated they may seek the death penalty.
North Carolina bar patron’s video may have foiled gunman night before deadly waterfront massacre: report
New information:
- Cellphone video obtained by PEOPLE shows a boat shrouded in darkness and a man ducking behind something the night before the attack; prosecutors now believe that footage may have prompted the assailant to abort an initial attempt.
- Attributable witness quote from local musician Dane Britt: he says the filming 'saved lives.'
- Confirming weapons detail reported: a .300 Blackout Sig Sauer rifle with a suppressor and scope, and a .380 handgun.
- Court/process updates: judge denied bond citing flight risk and danger; suspect requested a public defender and is scheduled for a probable-cause hearing Oct. 13, 2025.
- Police statement noting the suspect 'self-identifies' as a veteran and reports having PTSD.
Retired mom among 3 killed in ‘premeditated’ North Carolina waterfront restaurant massacre
New information:
- One victim identified as Joy Rogers, a newly retired mother of three who moved to Southport from California about a year ago
- Quotations and statements from Rogers' husband Lennie Rogers and Living Word Bible Church describing her as 'bold in her faith' and a community member
- Confirming detail that a judge denied bond citing flight risk and danger to the community and that Edge is scheduled to return Oct. 13 for a probable cause hearing
- Prosecutors allege Edge used a .300 Blackout Sig Sauer rifle fitted with a suppressor and scope and also had a .380 handgun
Suspect held in waterfront bar shooting that left 3 dead in North Carolina
New information:
- Reports the suspect uses the name Nigel Edge and that state voter records list him as 41 years old; he previously changed his name from Sean Debevoise.
- Quotes Southport Police Chief Todd Coring saying the U.S. Coast Guard observed a person matching the shooter's description loading a boat at about 10 p.m., helping lead to the arrest.
- Confirms the suspect is being held without bond and is expected to appear in court Monday.
- Provides on‑the‑record quotes from District Attorney Jon David describing the scene and noting at least one wounded victim was 'clinging for their life.'
Suspect in NC restaurant shooting identified, charged with murder after 3 killed, at least 8 wounded
New information:
- Suspect identified as Nigel Max Edge, 40.
- Edge was charged with three counts of first‑degree murder and five counts of attempted first‑degree murder.
- Charge confirmation came from Southport public information officer ChyAnn Ketchum and was associated with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office.
- Shooting occurred at the American Fish Company restaurant on the night of Sept. 27, 2025, leaving three dead and at least eight wounded (updated with suspect charges).
3 killed and 8 injured in North Carolina waterfront bar shooting
New information:
- Confirmed casualties: three people killed and at least eight wounded.
- The assailant approached by small boat, fired into a crowd near a waterfront bar around 9:30 p.m., then sped away.
- A U.S. Coast Guard crew later spotted a person matching the suspect description pulling a boat at a public ramp on Oak Island; that person was detained and turned over to Southport police.
Active shooter reported at North Carolina dockside with restaurants and bars
New information:
- City of Southport posted an alert on Facebook just before 10 p.m. EST reporting an active shooter at the Southport Yacht Basin.
- Brunswick County Sheriff's Office is assisting the Southport Police Department and multiple county agencies are involved.
- Local reports indicate potentially several fatalities, but casualty counts remain unconfirmed; the area contains multiple bars and restaurants including the American Fish Company.