What to Know About the Southport Yacht Basin Active Shooter Incident

Overview

On the afternoon of August 24, 2southeast. On the afternoon of August 24, 2024, an active shooter situation was reported at the Southport Yacht Basin in Southport, North Carolina. The incident began around 2:00 p.m. when multiple 911 calls described a man with a firearm near the waterfront. Law enforcement from the Southport Police Department and Brunswick County responded within minutes, initiating a shelter-in-place order for the area. A multi-agency response followed, involving the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and Carolina Beach officers. The situation was declared resolved around 4:15 p.m. after the armed individual was taken into custody with no reported injuries to officers or civilians.

Timeline and Response

Initial Reports and Dispatch

The first 911 calls came in just before 2:00 p.m., describing a male with a long gun near the boat ramps and parking area. Call takers prioritized location verification and suspect description, prompting immediate dispatch of the Southport Police Department’s patrol units. Early radio traffic confirmed the presence of a possible threat in a public, high-traffic waterfront area with numerous people present, including boaters, anglers, and families.

Law Enforcement Arrival and Shelter-in-Place

Within six minutes of the first call, Southport officers arrived and established an initial perimeter around the upper parking lot and boat ramp. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office tactical team was alerted and en route. At 2:12 p.m., officers broadcast a shelter-in-place order for the basin and surrounding marina facilities. Boaters were instructed to remain inside vessels or move to secured areas; shore-side visitors were directed away from the water toward the upper parking lot.

Negotiation and Tactical Advance

Communications-trained officers initiated contact with the armed individual via loudspeaker, attempting to de-escalate while maintaining a wide tactical perimeter. Crisis negotiators from the county sheriff’s office joined the scene via a secure line, working to obtain the subject’s identity, motivations, and demands. At approximately 3:40 p.m., the subject was observed moving toward the water, and a coordinated effort involving the SWAT team from a neighboring jurisdiction was authorized. The subject was taken into custody without resistance at 4:12 p.m, and the scene was cleared by 4:15 p.m.

Location Context

The Southport Yacht Basin is a public municipal facility located on the west end of Market Street in downtown Southport. It serves as the primary small-craft harbor for recreational boating, with ample visitor parking, transient docks, and a popular fishing pier. The area is open to the public during daylight hours, and on summer weekends it draws anglers, sightseers, and event attendees. Its mix of transient boaters, local residents, and tourists creates a high-visibility public space where security and emergency response planning are essential.

Safety Procedures and Public Guidance

When an active shooter is reported in a public venue, the standard guidance from federal and local agencies is to run, hide, or fight as a last resort. In the Southport Yacht Basin context, this meant evacuating the immediate waterfront area where cover was limited. Boaters were advised to secure their vessels and remain inside if possible, while visitors were directed to move away from the water and toward the upper parking lot or nearby businesses. Law enforcement emphasized avoiding the marina office and staging areas out of concern for additional risk. Once the scene was secured, officials provided a family reunification point at the Southport Community Center, roughly half a mile from the basin.

Run, Hide, Fight in a Waterfront Setting

• Run: Move perpendicular to the shoreline away from the boat ramps and docks, avoiding open parking areas where the subject could move.
• Hide: If unable to leave, find a locked room or vehicle, silence electronics, and stay out of sight. Mariners were urged to remain in cabins below deck where possible.
• Fight: Only when directly confronted and with others present, using improvised items to incapacitate as a last resort.

Aftermath and Community Impact

In the days following the incident, Southport officials held a joint press conference to confirm that no shots were fired and that everyone in the basin was evacuated safely. The Southport Police Department issued a brief statement thanking first responders and the community for cooperating with shelter-in-place orders. Local businesses along Water Street reported a temporary dip in foot traffic, but tourism resumed within a week. Authorities noted that mental health resources would be available through the local health department for anyone affected by the event. An after-action review is expected to focus on communication between agencies and the timing of public notifications, with findings to be shared at a community meeting scheduled in the following months.

Long-Term Considerations for Waterfront Public Safety

The Southport Yacht Basin incident highlights the need for clear emergency protocols in mixed-use public spaces such as marinas, where transient populations, limited cover, and water access complicate response planning. Considerations moving forward include clearly marked evacuation routes, enhanced lighting and CCTV coverage at the boat ramps, and pre-designated shelter areas separated from open water. Regular coordination drills between police, fire, emergency medical services, and harbor authorities can improve reaction times and reduce confusion. For the public, understanding how to react—knowing when to shelter, when to evacuate, and how to communicate with on-duty officers—can make critical differences in outcomes during high-stress events.

Key Facts at a Glance