Gunman opens fire at US restaurant from a boat (VIDEOS)

A shooting at a waterfront seafood restaurant in Southport, North Carolina, on Saturday night left three people dead and eight others injured, officials said.

The City of Southport issued a notice at 9:53pm local time warning of gunfire in the yacht basin area. “There is an unknown number of injuries. Avoid the area and remain in your homes. Please report any suspicious activity immediately to 911,” the post read.

City Manager Noah Saldo told WECT that a vessel approached the American Fish Company restaurant and opened fire on people gathered there before fleeing the scene. A local media outlet, the State Port Pilot, reported that a boat had been stationary for about an hour across from the restaurant before a person on board opened fire.

The vessel, described as a 23-foot single outboard engine speedboat with a spotted dog on board, then fled up the Intracoastal Waterway toward Oak Island.

The outlet added that a separate incident near Oak Island’s 55th Street access may also have been connected.

The shooting resulted in three fatalities and eight injuries, according to the city’s public information officer, ChyAnn Ketchum.

Police and emergency services remained at the waterfront late Saturday. Authorities said a person of interest had been detained and was being questioned.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office said it was assisting Southport police “along with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the county.”

“Please keep all those affected, as well as our first responders, in your thoughts and prayers,” it added.

Southport, a city of just over 4,100 residents, lies about 160 miles southeast of Raleigh and 32 miles south of Wilmington. The yacht basin sits on the Cape Fear River and is home to several riverfront restaurants. American Fish Co. describes itself as the town’s “best waterfront pub” and had live music scheduled for Saturday night.