8:15 P.M. UPDATE:
A rapper's performance set for Friday night in Little Rock that drew concern from city officials and police has been canceled.
In an emailed statement sent about 7:15 p.m., city spokesman Lamor Williams said the Moneybagg Yo show scheduled for 10 p.m. will not take place. Williams added that a special meeting called by the Little Rock Board of Directors on Thursday night to discuss the concert was also canceled.
Officials had called the meeting hours after police concerns about security for the show were revealed.
In a letter sent Oct. 5 to Robert Timmons, who runs Metroplex Live at 10800 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner said the 10 off-duty officers hired to provide security would not be enough in light of information obtained by the department's Intelligence Division.
Multiple shootings, including one that was fatal, have been reported at performances by the rapper, whose real name is Demario Dewayne White Jr., Buckner wrote. Authorities were also concerned about White's alleged gang ties.
Police had planned for 15 off-duty officers in uniform to work the event.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
— Jillian Kremer
6:30 P.M. UPDATE:
The Little Rock Board of Directors has called a special meeting Thursday night to discuss a rapper's performance planned for Friday in Arkansas' capital city.
The meeting, set for 9 p.m., was scheduled hours after police concerns about security for the show were revealed.
In a letter sent Oct. 5 to Robert Timmons, who runs Metroplex Live at 10800 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner said the 10 off-duty officers hired to provide security for rapper Moneybagg Yo's concert would not be enough in light of information obtained by the department's Intelligence Division.
— Jillian Kremer
EARLIER:
Reported violence at a rapper's past concerts and his possible gang involvement led Little Rock police to request additional security for his Friday performance in Arkansas' capital city, authorities said.
In a letter dated Oct. 5 to Robert Timmons, who runs Metroplex Live at 10800 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner said the 10 off-duty officers hired to provide security would not be enough in light of information obtained by the department's Intelligence Division.
One person was fatally shot at a Moneybagg Yo concert Nov. 24 in West Point, Miss., the letter states. The victim was reportedly caught in a crossfire and was not the intended target. Two men were shot as the rapper, whose real name is Demario Dewayne White Jr., took the stage in Columbus, Ga., on March 11, Buckner wrote.
More recently, the letter states, a van the rapper was riding in was struck by gunfire at a rest stop in New Jersey, injuring two of his associates. That shooting is believed to be a result of not paying a protection fee to the Sex Money Murder Bloods gang.
The chief wrote that he had notified city officials of police's concerns.
In an interview Thursday, police spokesman Lt. Steve McClanahan said there will be a total of 15 officers working in an off-duty capacity at the show, but all will be in uniform.
He added that officers who are patrolling the area have been made aware of the concert, which begins at 10 p.m., and those who are working the mandated overtime will be in the area.
The concert comes a little more than three months after a mass shooting during a rap concert at Power Ultra Lounge on July 1 left 28 people injured.
"We should have a strong police presence should something happen [Friday night]," McClanahan said.
— Rachel Herzog