The man accused of a bizarre boat attack in North Carolina Saturday night — which left three dead and eight injured — has a shocking past: he previously sued country singer Kellie Pickler, claiming she tried to poison him at the 2012 CMT Music Awards.
Nigel Edge’s Explosive Lawsuit
Nigel Edge, a Brunswick County resident, allegedly carried out the deadly shooting at the American Fish Company saloon in Southport, North Carolina Saturday night. But earlier this year, court documents show he filed a lawsuit against Pickler, accusing her of attempting to take his life more than a decade ago.
Edge claims that during the 2012 event — he mistakenly referred to it as the CMA Awards, though photos clearly show the CMT Music Awards — Pickler handed him a glass of Jim Beam laced with poison. According to the lawsuit, Edge only survived because he did not drink the beverage. The documents even include a photo of Edge and Pickler together at the event.
Edge Represented Himself in the Case
The bizarre suit was filed by Edge representing himself, and TMZ has reached out to Pickler’s legal team for comment, but no statement has been made public.
Interestingly, media coverage of the 2012 CMTs shows that Pickler attended the event with Sgt. Sean DeBevoise, a wounded Marine, as her date — not Edge. DeBevoise also made headlines earlier this year for legal action involving alleged medical negligence.

A Troubled History
Edge’s court filings against Pickler also detail injuries he sustained while serving in Iraq in 2006, including being shot in the head. He claims he now has nerve damage and a skull partially replaced with plastic due to those injuries.
Current Legal Trouble
Now, Edge faces serious charges for his recent actions. He is accused of:
- Three counts of first-degree murder
- Five counts of attempted first-degree murder
- Five counts of assault with a deadly weapon
Edge is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, and a bond has not yet been set. Authorities continue investigating the motives and circumstances behind the Southport boat attack.
Key Facts:
- Suspect: Nigel Edge, Brunswick County, NC
- Incident: Boat attack at American Fish Company saloon
- Casualties: 3 killed, 8 injured
- Past: Sued Kellie Pickler in 2025, claiming poisoning attempt at 2012 CMTs
- Injuries: Edge suffered serious wounds from military service in Iraq
- Court: Scheduled to appear Monday; bond not set
Stay Tuned: This case continues to evolve, with updates expected on Edge’s court proceedings, ongoing investigations, and additional background on his troubled past.