Was Nigel Edge a Purple Heart recipient? All about Southport NC shooting suspect's military honors
Gunman Nigel Edge, a former Marine and Purple Heart honoree, opened fire at a Southport restaurant, resulting in three fatalities and eight injuries.
Nigel Edge, the gunman who killed three people at a packed Southport waterfront bar, North Carolina with a barrage of gunfire, was a Purple Heart recipient and a highly decorated Marine who served two tours in Iraq.

According to a US military source who spoke to The Post, Nigel Edge, who converted his name from Sean DeBevoise in 2023, was honored with a number of top honors while serving in the Marine Corps from September 2003 to June 2009.
All about Nigel Edge's military honors
Edge, a ranking sergeant, was given a Purple Heart medal, which is given to military personnel who are killed or injured while fighting an enemy, the spokesperson said.
He also received the Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, the Marine Corps Good Conduct medal, the Humanitarian Service medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service medal, the Combat Action ribbon, the Sea Service Deployment ribbon, and the National Defense Service medal, the spokesperson told The Post.
Edge, 39, served two multi-month assignments in the war-ravaged nation in 2005 and 2006 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, officials said.
He last served at Camp Lejeune's Wounded Warrior Battalion East, a facility that provides recovery treatment, assistance, and rehabilitation to service members injured in war.
Nigel Edges diagnosed with PTSD
Edge was also recognized by North Carolina officials as a military veteran who supposedly suffered from PTSD.
Edge, as per investigators, was taken into custody on Saturday night for reportedly shooting at a group of customers at the American Fish Company restaurant in Southport Yacht Basin, which is around 30 miles south of Wilmington.
The gunshots left eight people injured and three dead. Authorities informed reporters on Sunday that one of the injured victims is still “clinging to life.”
Court filings state that he was carrying a short-barreled AR rifle with a suppressor, a folding stock, and a scope.
Edge is charged with three first-degree murder charges, five first-degree murder attempts, and five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
ABOUT THE AUTHORShweta KukretiShweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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