Michael Durbin Obituary, Death – A man from Delaware County has been identified among the victims of a deadly mass shooting at a popular waterfront bar in North Carolina over the weekend. According to the City of Southport, Michael Durbin, 56, of Galena, was one of three people killed on Saturday night when gunfire erupted at the American Fish Company, a well-known bar along the waterfront. Police reported that a man on a boat opened fire into the establishment, leaving three people dead and five others seriously injured before fleeing the scene.
Authorities have identified the suspected shooter as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge. Investigators say Edge carried out the attack by firing directly into the bar from a boat anchored near the dock. After the shooting, he fled by water but was located and arrested just a few miles south of the bar. Officials believe the act was not random but rather “highly premeditated” and “targeted,” based on evidence gathered during the early stages of the investigation.
Edge now faces a series of severe charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill while inflicting serious injuries. He is currently being held in custody as prosecutors prepare to pursue the case.
Durbin’s death has sent shockwaves through his Delaware County community, where friends and neighbors describe him as a dedicated family man and well-respected member of the town of Galena. His sudden loss is being deeply felt by those who knew him, as news of the tragedy continues to spread.
Alongside Durbin, two other victims were also killed in the attack. They have been identified as 36-year-old Solomon Banjo from Charlottesville, Virginia, and 64-year-old Joy Rogers of Southport, North Carolina. Police said all three victims were struck during the barrage of bullets fired into the crowded bar. The five additional victims, who have not yet been publicly identified, remain hospitalized with injuries, though authorities have not released updated conditions.
The City of Southport released a public statement following the shooting, offering condolences to the victims’ families while also urging the community to allow those families privacy as they mourn. “We ask that you be respectful of these victims’ families as they try to navigate this difficult situation,” the statement read. City officials further confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement agencies continuing to gather information and evidence.
Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance in piecing together the timeline of events leading up to and following the shooting. Police are specifically asking anyone who was at the American Fish Company on either Friday, September 26, or Saturday, September 27, to contact the Southport Police Department with any details they might have. This includes photographs, videos, or firsthand accounts that could aid in the investigation.
The American Fish Company, known for its scenic location and popularity among locals and visitors alike, has been left shaken by the violence. What began as a routine weekend gathering quickly turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy, leaving the small waterfront community reeling.
Officials say more information about the shooter’s motive may be revealed as the investigation progresses. For now, Edge is in custody facing multiple felony charges that, if convicted, could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty under North Carolina law.
As Southport mourns the victims and works to support the survivors, Durbin’s death highlights how far-reaching the impact of the tragedy is, extending all the way to Delaware County. His name now stands among those lost in what police are calling one of the most deliberate acts of violence the small town has ever experienced.