Man arrested and charged in connection to deadly mass shooting at a North Carolina bar

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (NBC, KYMA) - An Oak Island man has been arrested and charged in connection with Saturday night's deadly mass shooting at a waterfront bar in Southport, North Carolina.

40-year-old Nigel Max Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder after carrying out what officials say was a targeted attack on patrons at American Fish Company.

"We believe that this was a targeted location. We appear that he acted in a what we call a lone wolf. He acted alone. This is highly premeditated, from what we're seeing at this time," said Chief Todd Coring with the Southport Police Department.

Three people were killed and at least five others were injured.

"There was a lot of people out there last night just enjoying live music under the stars. The thread that connects everyone who's a victim in this case to this point, just appears to be a love of having a good time and enjoying all that Southport has to offer. Sadly, a lot of the victims in this case appear to be not members of our community, but people who are here on vacation."

Jon David, District Attorney

Officials say Edge is known to law enforcement and identifies as a combat Veteran who was injured in the line of duty. He also reportedly suffers from PTSD.

More charges are pending and edge is due in court Monday.