A man now in custody for a deadly shooting in North Carolina was once the public escort of a well-known singer at a major awards ceremony over a decade ago.
The suspect, identified as Nigel Edge, was arrested and charged in connection with a shooting at the American Fish Company saloon in Southport on Saturday, September 27. Authorities allege the attack resulted in three fatalities and left five others wounded.
Police Chief Todd Coring stated in a press conference that evidence suggests the assault was a premeditated, targeted act carried out by a lone individual. “We believe this was a targeted location,” Coring said. “He acted alone. This is highly premeditated from what we’re seeing at this time.” Edge was apprehended by the Coast Guard while at a public boat ramp in Oak Island.
According to arrest warrants, the suspect is accused of using a modified short-barreled rifle equipped with a suppressor. He now faces three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder.
This recent incident stands in stark contrast to a chapter from Edge’s past. In 2012, he attended the CMT Music Awards as the date of singer Kellie Pickler, a former contestant on a popular televised singing competition. At the time, social media posts and interviews captured a celebratory evening, with Edge publicly praising his companion.
However, their association later took a contentious turn. Earlier this year, Edge filed a civil lawsuit against Pickler, making a series of unverified allegations about their past interaction, including an accusation that she had attempted to harm him. That same lawsuit also leveled accusations against a local medical center.
The legal filing further detailed that Edge is a military veteran, claiming he sustained a severe head injury during a 2006 deployment which resulted in lasting medical issues.
The investigation into the weekend’s violence is ongoing. Authorities have indicated they do not believe there is any further threat to the community related to this case.
