3 dead, 8 injured after shooting on North Carolina coast at Southport Yacht Basin, reports say

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WNCN) — A North Carolina coastal town issued a warning about an active shooter on Saturday night amid reports that three people were killed when a boater fired into a crowd at a waterfront restaurant.

The town of Southport in Brunswick County issued an alert on social media just before 9:55 p.m. A Southport town spokesperson told WECT that three people were killed and eight others were injured in a shooting Saturday night.

“There are reports of an active shooter in the Southport Yacht Basin,” the town officials said in a short news release.

The Wilmington Star-News reported a person in a boat fired into a crowd at the American Fish Company after pulling the boat up to the restaurant, according to the Southport city manager.

“Avoid the area and remain in your homes,” town officials added.

WWAY-TV reported that a person of interest was being questioned late Saturday night.

The Southport Yacht Basin borders an area of the town along the Intracoastal Waterway with several bars and restaurants, including American Fish Company.

At 10:43 p.m., the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office released a short statement on social media about the matter.

“The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the City of Southport Police Department, along with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the county,” the sheriff’s office said. “Please keep all those affected, as well as our first responders, in your thoughts and prayers.”

Southport is located along the Cape Fear River, across from Fort Fisher and about 10 miles southwest of Wilmington.

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