The three patrons who were shot and killed when a madman fired a hail of bullets at a crowded dockside restaurant in North Carolina have been identified.
Joy Rogers, 64, of Southport; Solomon Banjo, 36, of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Michael Durbin, 56, of Galena, Ohio, were killed when decorated Marine Nigel Edge allegedly launched his deadly assault on the American Fish Company restaurant in Southport Yacht Basin Saturday night, the City of Southport confirmed in a statement.
Five others who were injured are still hospitalized as of late Wednesday. Their names have not yet been released, according to city spokesperson ChyAnn Ketchum.
Rogers was described by her family as a deeply faithful Christian who was born and raised in California, according to a statement provided by her husband, Lennie Rogers, to WECT.
The couple moved to Southport only about a year ago to enjoy retirement, the statement said.
“In that short time, she touched countless lives in her community,” Lennie Rogers said. “She lived up to her name — her spirit radiated joy, light, and kindness everywhere she went.”
Her husband was also at the bar Saturday night but was not injured, the outlet reported.
A community vigil for Joy Rogers will be hosted by her parish, Generations Church, on Saturday to honor the “well-known face” at their congregation, according to a Facebook post.
Fellow victim, Banjo, worked as an executive director for Eon, a health care technology company, the Raleigh News and Observer reported.
He graduated from the University of Virginia, according to his LinkedIn.
“Solomon Banjo, randomly killed in the North Carolina bar shooting, was smart, thoughtful, kind, and well-liked — and I say that as a former colleague who knows many people grieving him this week,” Washington Post Reporter Dan Diamond posted on X.
“What a tragic, stupid loss, of someone who had much to give,” Diamond wrote.
Details about Durbin, the third victim, were not immediately known.
Patrons at the American Fish Company described a picturesque night at the popular waterfront restaurant before bullets rang out.
“Everyone was dancing, having a great time, it was just wonderful, it was a night on the water,” Alisa Noah told WWAY-TY. “Until it wasn’t.”
Noah and a coworker were patronizing the bar with the coworker’s sister.
Another bar patron, Phillip Bowen, said he heard a “pop pop” that he expected to be fireworks.
“Instead, I heard another pop and a white light come out just above the transom of the boat,” Bowen said.
Music and crowd chatter then gave way to screams and gunfire, WECT reported.
Bowen said he met Edge — a Purple Heart recipient with several accolades from his time in the Marine Corps — several years earlier and heard about his military service and his struggles.
“I just wanted to listen to him and thank him for his service and not have pity on him for the way he was, but just show him respect and show him love,” Bowen said. “And it’s obvious he didn’t get enough of that.”
Edge, 40, piloted a boat close to shore, stopping briefly, before opening fire on patrons in a “highly premeditated” and targeted attack, authorities said.
He was allegedly armed with a short-barreled AR rifle, equipped with a suppressor, with a folding stock and scope, according to court documents.
Edge — who​ changed his name from Sean DeBevoise in 2023 — was arrested roughly half an hour later after a US Coast Guard crew spotted him pulling a boat from the water at a ramp on Oak Island, where he lives.
The former Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq has not yet entered a plea.
The county’s top prosecutor described Edge during his court hearing Monday as having “significant mental health issues” after experiencing a traumatic brain injury.
Edge also told police he was injured in combat and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said.
He remains held in the Brunswick County jail without bond.
Edge’s next court appearance is slated for Oct. 13.
With Post wires.