A shooter escaped on a boat after pulling up to a marina and opening fire on a group of restaurant diners, killing three individuals and injuring eight. 

The suspect, whose identity is still unknown, pulled up to a popular tourist hotspot in Southport, North Carolina, at around 9.30pm on Saturday night, according to ChyAnn Ketchum, the city's spokesperson. 

Shots rang out near the American Fish Company before the suspect fled the scene on the Intracoastal Waterway toward Oak Island.

The shooter was the lone occupant of the boat. Shortly after 10pm the US Coast Guard observed a person matching the suspect's description loading their boat on a public ramp, according to town officials.

The person of interest was detained by the Coast Guard and was brought in for questioning by the Oak Island Police Department with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation. 

Town officials assured residents that there was no further threat to the public and the investigation was ongoing. 

Officials previously issued an urgent warning to locals to avoid the area and remain in their homes. 

They wrote in a Facebook post just before 10pm: 'There are reports of an active shooter in the Southport Yacht Basin.

'There is an unknown number of injuries. Avoid the area and remain in your homes. 

'Please report any suspicious activity immediately to 911.'

The boat was described as a 'white center console boat.'

The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office confirmed on social media that they were assisting the city of Southport with the incident. They were one of multiple law enforcement agencies responding. 

They said: 'Please keep all those affected, as well as our first responders, in your thoughts and prayers.'

As of 11.30pm a person of interest was being questioned, according to Star News, but no one is in custody. 

During a press conference at 1am on Sunday, Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said that they were working between two crime scenes - one where the shooting occurred, and another on Oak Island where the person of interest was being questioned. 

He said it is too soon to determine the motive. Extra police patrol was called to Southport.

He added: 'Just know you are as safe as you can be right now.'

There is no longer an active threat to the community. 

Southport, NC is about 30 miles south of Wilmington, NC on the Cape Fear River. 

The yacht basin from which the suspect fired is on the southeastern corner of the state, 'where the Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean converge,' according to NBC. 

American Fish Company boasts itself as one of the neighborhood's 'favorite hangouts.' On Saturdays their live band Bacon Grease takes the stage from 7pm to 10pm. 

The restaurant is one of many that line the marina.