Kellie Pickler has a connection to Nigel Edge, the man accused of opening fire into a crowded North Carolina bar on September 28. The bizarre boat-based shooting shocked the waterfront town of Southport, North Carolina. In the days since the tragic shooting, which left three people dead, more has come to light about Edge, including his shocking connection to American Idol alum Kellie Pickler. The alleged shooter was once her date to an award ceremony. Months before the shooting, Edge actually sued Pickler. This is how they are connected.

Kellie Pickler and Nigel Edge were never romantically linked, but they did go on a date

Kellie Pickler and Nigel Edge were never romantically linked. According to several reports, Pickler met Edge, who was then going by the name Sean Debevoise, while doing charity work in 2012. According to Taste of Country, Pickler and Edge both worked for a local charity supporting the military. As the story goes, Edge, a veteran, invited her to attend a charity gala. When she wasn’t able to attend that event, she invited Edge to spend the evening with her at the CMT Awards. He reportedly enthusiastically agreed to be her escort.

At the time of the event, Edge seemed to enjoy himself. He spoke to the media, calling Pickler an “angel.” It is unclear whether they remained in contact after the event or if the CMT Awards outing was a one-time occurrence. Still, we can confirm that the date was not romantic. Pickler was actually already married to Kyle Jacobs for more than a year when the show took place. Edge referred to the “Red High Heels” singer as a “friend” at the time.

He went on to sue the country star

While it’s unclear if Pickler and Edge kept in touch in any meaningful way after the CMT Awards, it is clear he considered Pickler no friend of his in recent years. His night at the awards show was clearly on Edge’s mind in the months before he opened fire. According to TMZ, Edge sued Pickler in North Carolina, claiming she had attempted to poison him. According to court documents obtained by the outlet, Edge alleges that Pickler poisoned a glass of whiskey given to him at the CMT Awards. In the filing, he claims he only walked away from the incident because he did not drink the beverage. He had no additional evidence, and Pickler did not comment on the filing.

According to the outlet, Edge also sued the Brunswick Medical Center for similar reasons, although a poisoned glass of whiskey was not involved in that lawsuit. An additional suit, filed against the Generations Church, also shows evidence of a man dealing with a mental health crisis. Edge, who was injured in the line of duty in 2006, has appeared in court, but a motive for the shooting has not been made known.

Pickler has not issued a public statement. She largely abandoned social media and the limelight after the death of her husband, Kyle Jacobs, in 2023. Jacobs died by suicide. Pickler is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with his parents over the ownership of his property. They married in 2011.