A shooting at a picturesque, seaside town in North Carolina that left three people dead and five others injured was a "highly premeditated" attack, US local police say.

Police Chief Todd Coring said at a press conference on Sunday that Nigel Edge of Oak Island is accused of opening fire from a boat into a crowd gathered at American Fish Company in Southport.

Coring said the location was "targeted" but did not elaborate.

The shooting, which erupted about 9.30pm on Saturday, took place along a popular stretch of bars and restaurants in the historical port town about 48km south of Wilmington.

Investigators said Edge piloted a small boat close to shore, stopped briefly, fired, and then sped away.

Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degr

See Full Page