One person has been killed and three people shot at a T.I. concert in New York on Wednesday night (25.05.16).
A gunman opened fire at Irving Plaza near Manhattan’s Union Square at around 10:15pm before the 35-year-old hip hop star was due on stage and fatally killed a fan and injured others.
Chief of Manhattan South Detectives William Aubry confirmed the shooting and said at a press conference: "A preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting took place at the third floor green room area. At the time of the shooting, two performers were performing onstage: Maino and Uncle Murda."
Police say two men aged 34 were shot – one in the chest and one in the abdomen – and both were rushed to Bellevue Hospital but one could not be saved and the other remains in a critical condition.
New York rapper Troy Ave and a 26-year old woman were also shot, both in the leg, and are said to be in a stable condition.
The motives for the shooting are not known however T.I. was in the venue at the time of the incident.
It was secured just after 11 p.m and the New York City Police department announced on Twitter: "Scene safe at this time. Please stay clear of area."
One music goer, Juliet Vahos, was in the crowd and said he suddenly heard a "rumbling noise".
The 20-year-old T.I fan told Rolling Stone: "We were facing the stage on the ground floor, about three rows back from the gate of the stage. It sounded like there was a loud rumbling noise in the VIP section on the right balcony. It sounded like two shots. Some people were saying that it was ‘just a fight.’ About 30 seconds later, we definitely heard multiple gunshots. Everyone was running like you’ve never seen them run before."
Another, Heather Hallock, witnessed fans scramble to reach the exits before ambulances arrived.
Heather, 20, said: "People were falling down the stairs. There was a large woman who fell at the bottom of the stairs and people were running over her. We ran outside and across the street and waited there for the rest of our group. Ambulances started pulling up."
T.I. – who is married to Tameka Cottle – is yet to make a statement.
Man shot dead and three injured at T.I. concert in New York
