In a chilling incident over the weekend, as reported by Gateway Pundit, a man identified as Nigel Max Edge was arrested following a tragic shooting at the American Fish Company restaurant dock in Southport, North Carolina, where he faces three counts of first-degree murder.
Edge, a Marine veteran who served honorably in Iraq, had clearly been grappling with profound personal struggles long before that fateful night.
Now, a former friend has come forward to reveal attempts he made to seek help for Edge, flagging his alarming behavior to authorities who arguably failed to act in time.
This heartbreaking saga serves as a stark reminder of the pressing mental health crisis our nation so desperately needs to address.
More details are emerging about Sean DeBevoise, commonly referred to as Nigel Edge, the suspect accused of killing three and injuring others in Southport on Saturday night. His former best friend’s emotional Facebook post sheds light on DeBevoise’s struggles.
A Purple Heart recipient and Marine sniper, DeBevoise sustained significant injuries during his service. His friend, Marc Simmons, shared that DeBevoise was later diagnosed with delusional disorder following a brief hospitalization. Their friendship deteriorated around 2019 when DeBevoise exhibited increased paranoia.
At one point, DeBevoise even confronted Simmons at his workplace, claiming that he was involved in conspiracy plots against him. In a desperate measure, Simmons obtained a no-contact order and alerted authorities that his former friend, now deemed mentally unstable, was a trained sniper who posed a serious risk.
Simmons’ poignant words reflect his anguish:
“I’ve been inundated with messages and felt compelled to articulate something. As many of you now know, Sean, whom I refuse to call Nigel, tragically shot and killed three people and injured numerous others. Sean was once like family to me. We bonded over our Marine Corps experiences upon returning home in 2008, sharing moments fishing and training. In fact, he became the godfather to my daughter.
However, by late 2018, his behavior turned erratic. Despite our efforts to support him, we could only distance ourselves as he struggled with a diagnosed delusional disorder. Unfortunately, when he arrived at my workplace claiming paranoia about conspiracies against him, it was clear our bond had shattered. After notifying the courts about his unstable mindset and training, their response was disheartening; they deemed him not an immediate threat. This systemic inability to act has led to the loss of innocent lives due to inaction.
Military veterans, particularly those grappling with psychological challenges, must be prioritized for mental health services. Simmons highlights that Edge’s background as a sniper cannot be overlooked in evaluating his actions.
The heinous actions committed by Edge cannot be excused. However, if Simmons’ account holds truth, it may provide his defense team grounds for exploring an insanity plea in court.
Mike LaChance has been analyzing higher education and political affairs for Legal Insurrection since 2012. Since 2008, he has contributed to several notable outlets including the Gateway Pundit, Daily Caller, and Breitbart, among others.
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