Three people were killed and eight were injured when a gunman fired numerous shots from a passing boat into a crowded dockside North Carolina restaurant on Saturday night.
Officials said the unidentified boater pulled up to the American Fish Company restaurant in Southport Yacht Basin, about 30 miles south of Wilmington, and opened fire into the crowd of unsuspecting diners at around 9:30 p.m.
The boater then took off up the Intracoastal Waterway before a person matching the shooter’s description was spotted loading the vessel at a marina on Oak Island, approximately 5 miles west of the scene, at around 10 p.m., according to Southport city officials.
Three people were killed and eight others were injured at the scene, according to the City of Southport Police Department.
The US Coast Guard detained the person of interest, who is being held by Oak Island police, awaiting transfer back to Southport for questioning.
Officials didn’t release the identity of the person of interest or reveal any motivation behind the deadly shooting.
Authorities had declared an “active shooter” situation before the person of interest was detained.
“IMPORTANTLY, there is currently no known further credible threat to the public. Officers and Deputies from multiple agencies are in place to help ensure additional security for the greater area,” police said.
American Fish Company bills itself as one of Southport’s “favorite hangouts” and often features live music, including on Saturday when band “Bacon Grease” which was scheduled to perform from 7 to 10 p.m., according to the restaurant’s Instagram page.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
