VOLUME 10 ISSUE 32 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025
NSJONLINE.COM
CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO
Joey Whitaker from Holden Beach plays “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes in front of the American Fish Company on Sunday, the day after a fatal shooting in Southport.
3 killed, 5 wounded in Southport shooting
the
BRIEF this week
Judge rejects racial gerrymandering claims in N.C. districts Raleigh A pair of northeastern North Carolina legislative districts can remain intact, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, rejecting black voters’ claims that state Republicans illegally manipulated the boundaries to prevent them from electing their favored candidates. Ruling after a trial held nearly eight months ago, U.S. District Judge James Dever sided with GOP legislative leaders who were sued in November 2023 over two state Senate districts in a statewide map the General Assembly approved weeks earlier. The two plaintiffs — including state Rep. Rodney Pierce (D-Halifax) — had argued that the lines violated the U.S. Voting Rights Act through race-based discrimination and that the lawmakers should have created a majority-black district instead.
U.S. House subcommittee holds meeting in Charlotte Charlotte U.S. House members met in Charlotte on Monday to hear from families of violent-crime victims and others, and some called for tougher criminal justice policies after last month’s stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on a public train. The judiciary subcommittee meeting in Charlotte heard from speakers who criticized local court systems for failing to protect the public. The meeting was prompted by the death of Iryna Zarutska and the arrest of a suspect with a long criminal history. Republicans have called for the end of soft-on-crime policies, while Democrats cited the need for additional prosecutors and mental health funding.
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UNC System board discusses tuition increase, AI The meeting also included a remembrance of Charlie Kirk By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The UNC System Board of Governors’ September meeting included discussion of a possible increase in tuition, artificial intelligence and a re-
membrance of Charlie Kirk. The UNC System has not raised tuition for the past nine years, but that may be changing. Citing the UNC System’s 3.4% increase in total enrollment, UNC Board of Governors chair Wendy Murphy said UNC schools could propose a “modest” tuition increase for See UNC, page A3
A Marine veteran was charged in the deadly waterfront attack By Carolyn Thompson and Allen G. Breed The Associated Press A DECORATED Marine veteran charged with firing an assault rifle from a boat at a waterfront bar in Southport, killing three people and wounding five, appeared subdued in court Monday as prosecutors said they may seek the death penalty. Nigel Edge, 40, a Purple Heart recipient whose last assignment was with a Wounded Warrior battalion, made his first court appearance via video link after Saturday’s mass shooting. He’s charged with murder, attempted murder and assault. Law enforcement officers
Iryna’s Law heads to Stein No Senate Democrats supported the bill By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — “Iryna’s Law,” a bill changing criminal justice statutes, was sent to Gov. Josh Stein last Wednesday, but he did not take immediate action. The bill is named after Iryna Zarutska, the woman attacked on Charlotte’s light rail system who died from her wounds. Her alleged attacker, DeCarlos Brown Jr., has an extensive arrest record that includes prison time. Brown had been released by a magistrate who issued Brown a promise note to reappear in court on a 911 abuse charge in January despite his criminal history and possible
mental health issues. Brown faces a murder charge in Mecklenburg County as well as a federal charge. In a CNN interview last Thursday, Stein claimed twice he was “reviewing” Iryna’s Law. The next day, House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) reacted to Stein’s CNN interview in a post on X. “This is a 21-page bill sent to @nc_governor three days ago. He’s a lawyer with a team of lawyers on staff,” wrote Hall. “This is not hard. Sign the damn bill.” In a press release, Hall further pressed Stein to make the bill law. “For too long, activist judges and magistrates have turned dangerous criminals loose, endangering lives and spreading chaos in our See BILL, page A3
“For too long, activist judges and magistrates have turned dangerous criminals loose, endangering lives and spreading chaos in our communities. That ends now.” N.C. House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls)
“got the confession” from the suspect following his arrest, said North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Director Chip Hawley at a news conference Monday. He did not elaborate. Five people remained hospitalized from the violence in the historic Brunswick County port town. None of the victims’ identities have been released. District Attorney Jon David said his office had yet to review medical records but described Edge as having “significant mental health issues” after experiencing a traumatic brain injury, according to WECT News. Authorities said Edge piloted a boat close to shore, stopped briefly and opened fire at a crowd of vacationers and other patrons at American Fish Company in what See SOUTHPORT, page A2