Officials report that the man who killed three people at a bustling dockside restaurant is a former Marine, honored with multiple awards, including the Purple Heart.
Nigel Edge, who changed his name from Sean De Bevoys in 2023, served in the Marine Corps from September 2003 until June 2009. He received several commendations during his time, according to a U.S. military spokesperson.
As a sergeant, Edge earned the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat. His accolades also include the Marine Corps Good Deeds Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, two Bronze Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Expedition Medal, and the Terrorism Service Medal.
At 39 years old, he served multiple deployments in Iraq during 2005 and 2006, focusing on operations to promote freedom. His last assignment was with the Eastern Warrior Battalion at Camp Lejeune, a facility aimed at helping injured soldiers.
Authorities from North Carolina identified Edge as a combat veteran who may be suffering from PTSD.
Edge was arrested on Saturday after allegedly opening fire with a rifle at a U.S. Fish Company restaurant in the Southport Yacht Basin, about 30 miles south of Wilmington. The attack resulted in three deaths and eight injuries; one of the wounded is in serious condition, according to reports.
He was armed with a short-barreled AR rifle, as per court documents. Edge now faces several charges, including three counts of first-degree murder and multiple counts of assault.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, though authorities have described mass shootings as often being premeditated.
After his time in the service, it seems Edge adopted some conspiratorial beliefs. Records show he was involved in unusual legal cases in North Carolina this year.
One lawsuit from May claimed that local churches were conspiring against the LGBTQ community and “white supremacist pedophiles.” Another case filed against Brunswick Medical Center in January accused the institution of partaking in a conspiracy against him.
This lawsuit was dismissed due to its bias, according to court records. Additionally, Edge wrote a book titled “Headshot: Betrayal of a Nation,” where he alleges he was shot four times by friendly fire as part of a larger conspiracy.
In his account, Edge describes feeling trapped within a plot during his service in Iraq, outlining how he sustained injuries from two IED attacks in 2006.
In 2012, he accompanied “American Idol” star Kelly Pickler on the red carpet at the Country Music Awards.
Currently, Edge is being held at the Brunswick County Detention Center without bond and is slated to appear in court on Monday for his initial hearing.
