Fatal Shooting And Stabbing Cast Shadow Over BET Awards
A fatal shooting and a separate stabbing at unsanctioned parties
celebrating Sunday’s BET Awards in Los Angeles cast a shadow over the
event, where top superstars like Lil Wayne, Chris Rock and others were
set to mark the best in black entertainment.
One person was killed and five injured in two separate incidents
ahead of the show at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles police
said. The events were “unauthorized and unaffiliated with the BET
Awards,” BET said in a statement.
“The network and all organizers will continue to maintain a safe environment for all planned activities,” the statement said.
The death and four of the injuries followed gunfire early Sunday at a
restaurant, Officer Drake Madison said. Separately, a man was stabbed
in the stomach Saturday night at a nightclub.
The violence could change the mood at the ceremony. This year, some
of the performers include Pharrell, John Legend and Nicki Minaj.
All the nominees
Top nominees were Drake, Beyoncé and Jay Z, who have five each.
Drake, who was originally set to perform at the show, did not attend.
A representative for Beyoncé also said the singer wouldn’t attend, and
her husband’s rep wouldn’t divulge if Jay Z would be there or not. Their
attendance had nothing to do with the violence at the weekend parties.
Drake didn’t attend last year’s show, where he won video of the year. This year, the 27-year-old rapper’s Worst Behavior is nominated for the top prize, competing with Beyoncé’s Drunk in Love and Partition, as well as Pharrell’s Happy and Chris Brown’s Fine China http://www.premiumgist.com/fatal-shooting-and-stabbing-cast-shadow-over-bet-awards/