Key Points
- Over $300,000 has been disbursed by Southport Cares to the victims of the shooting that took place in September 2025.
- Money was generated through fundraising activities within the community throughout the last year.
- The organization also spearheaded the formation of a support group for the survivors and planned a private celebration to mark the anniversary of the victims.
- There were two public celebrations that were set for Sunday: dedication of the tree at Taylor Field Park at 2 pm and the prayer vigil at Southport Baptist Church at 6 pm.
- The initial attack on September 27, 2025, resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries of at least six to eight others, with the accused, Nigel Max Edge, facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder.
Southport (Liverpool standard) September 27, 2026 – North Carolina, marked the first anniversary of a deadly mass shooting that occurred on the evening of September 27, 2025, outside the American Fish Company at the Southport Yacht Basin. According to multiple reports, a gunman opened fire from a boat on the Intracoastal Waterway, killing three people and injuring several others before fleeing the scene.
As reported by journalists covering the incident for WECT, ABC11, CNN, and other outlets, city officials initially said three people were killed and five or six were injured, with later updates confirming at least eight injured in total. The deceased were identified as 64-year-old Joy Rogers of Southport, 36-year-old Solomon Banjo of Charlottesville, Virginia, and 56-year-old Michael Durbin of Galena, Ohio.
Southport Police Chief Todd Coring stated at a press conference that the attack was “highly premeditated” and that 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge of Oak Island, a Marine veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
How has Southport Cares supported victims and families?
In the year since the shooting, the nonprofit Southport Cares has become a central channel for community support, raising funds through a series of local fundraisers. According to WECT’s coverage of the anniversary update, Southport Cares has distributed more than $300,000 to people affected by the shooting, including survivors, families of the deceased, and employees impacted by the incident.
Lott, a representative associated with the effort, told WECT that he was struck by the number of people who wanted to help, regardless of the size of their contribution. Earlier reporting by Wikipedia-cited sources indicated that initial donations totalled $242,237.26, with $232,595.82 distributed to 34 families and wounded patrons and employees, before the total rose to $346,223.35, with 77% going directly to victims and their families and the remainder held in reserve for ongoing support.
Southport Cares also helped form a survivors support group and planned a private event for survivors to mark the anniversary together this weekend, according to WECT.
What events are being held to mark the anniversary?
To mark the anniversary, Southport Cares and community partners organised both private and public events. As reported by WECT, two events on Sunday were open to the public.
The first was a tree dedication and ceremony at Taylor Field Park beginning at 2 p.m., honouring those killed, injured, or otherwise affected by the shooting. The second event was a prayer vigil starting at 6 p.m. at Southport Baptist Church. These gatherings were designed to provide a space for communal remembrance and support, alongside the private survivor-focused event coordinated earlier in the day.
Local media also highlighted how the city has continued to remember the victims through memorials, including a cross placed near the former site of the American Fish Company bearing the names of Joy Rogers, Solomon Banjo, and Michael Durbin.
What is the status of the American Fish Company and the legal case?
Following the shooting, the American Fish Company closed indefinitely, according to WECT reporting from late September 2025. The closure came after Southport Police announced the arrest of Nigel Edge in connection with the deadly shooting.
Legal proceedings have continued in the months since the attack. As reported by multiple outlets including ABC News, CNN, and the News & Observer, Edge faces multiple first-degree murder charges and attempted murder charges, with prosecutors reportedly weighing the possibility of seeking the death penalty given the premeditated nature of the attack.
Background of the development
The Southport shooting emerged as one of the most significant violent incidents in the coastal North Carolina town in recent years, drawing national attention due to the unusual method of attack—firing from a boat into a crowded waterfront bar—and the number of casualties. In the immediate aftermath, the community mobilised quickly, with local leaders, faith groups, and residents organising fundraisers, vigils, and support networks for victims and families.
Southport Cares, a local nonprofit, became a focal point for these efforts, channelling donations into direct financial assistance, counselling support, and longer-term aid for those affected. Over the course of the year, the organisation tracked contributions, coordinated with hospitals and families, and worked to ensure that funds reached those most in need while maintaining a reserve for future expenses related to recovery and support.
The anniversary events reflect both the ongoing grief and the sustained community response, with public ceremonies intended to honour the dead, acknowledge the injured, and reinforce communal resilience.
Prediction: How this development can affect the local community and similar towns
The continued activity of Southport Cares and the public commemoration of the shooting are likely to have several effects on the Southport community and on other small towns facing similar tragedies.
For Southport residents, the distribution of more than $300,000 in aid and the establishment of a survivors support group may help stabilise some families financially and emotionally, potentially reducing long-term hardship among those directly affected. The public events and memorials can also reinforce a sense of shared identity and collective mourning, which researchers and community leaders often associate with improved psychological recovery after mass violence.
For similar small coastal or tourist-dependent towns, the Southport case may serve as a reference point for how local nonprofits can coordinate rapid fundraising and long-term support after a mass shooting. The visibility of the tree dedication, prayer vigil, and ongoing financial aid could encourage other communities to develop structured, nonprofit-led response frameworks rather than relying solely on ad hoc charity or government assistance.
At the same time, the high-profile nature of the attack and the ongoing criminal case may keep Southport in regional and national news cycles, which could influence public perceptions of safety in waterfront entertainment areas. How local leaders balance remembrance, security measures, and promotion of the town’s broader identity will likely shape both visitor behaviour and community confidence in the coming years.
