Bolivia, North Carolina — A judge on Tuesday ordered a Marine veteran charged with three counts of first-degree murder in a mass shooting at a waterfront bar in North Carolina last year to undergo psychiatric treatment after determining he was unable to understand his legal process well enough to assist his attorney.
Nigel Max Edge’s case was scheduled for a hearing in Brunswick District Court where the local prosecutor was scheduled to reveal whether he intended to seek the death penalty. But District Attorney John David said in a news release that part of the case was set aside because questions about Edge’s “ability to move forward” were raised by multiple mental health professionals.
A man hugs a police officer in front of American Fish after a fatal shooting that occurred the night before, September 28, 2025, in Southport, North Carolina.
AP Photo/Chris Seward, File
“The defense provided evaluations from two experts, and this office requested an independent evaluation by a state forensic examiner,” David said. “All three evaluations concluded that Mr. Edge currently lacks the capacity to proceed to trial.”
Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow ordered Edge transferred to Cherry Hospital, a state psychiatric facility in Goldsboro, David said.
The state’s mental health expert found that Edge “may recover with appropriate treatment, including medication and counseling,” David said. With such a restoration, the legal case against Edge will resume.
A voicemail and email seeking comment were left for Edge’s public defender, Matthew Jeffrion.
Authorities allege Edge, 41, drove a small motorboat into a dockside cocktail bar in Southport last September 27 and opened fire with a short-barreled semi-automatic rifle. Three people were killed and several others were injured.
Edge, who faces additional charges, was serving in a special sniper unit in Iraq when he was shot four times, including one in the head. His friends and family say he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is still suffering from the bullet lodged in his brain.
Tuesday’s action has “the practical effect of suspending further litigation unless defendant standing is restored,” David said, adding that the state can still seek the death penalty “if the facts and the law justify that designation.”
Edge will remain in custody during his treatment period, which David said will be for an “indefinite” period.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.