(NewsNation) — The suspect in a North Carolina shooting once accompanied American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler to the Country Music Television Awards, according to reports.

Nigel Edge, a Purple Heart veteran, allegedly killed three people and injured five in a shooting at the American Fish Company saloon in Southport, North Carolina.

Edge was later detained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to reports, he changed his name from Sean DeBevoise in 2023.

In 2012, he attended the CMT Awards as Pickler's date, along with his service dog Rusty. The pair had met at a charity event, and he connected with Pickler after telling his story of being near-fatally injured during his time in the military.

Edge tried to sue Pickler in February of 2025, accusing her of trying to kill him with a poiso

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