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Lovers and Friends Festival marred by 'false alarm' that leaves three people injured


Lovers and Friends Festival marred by ‘false alarm’ that leaves three people injured after a rush for the exits in Las Vegas

  • Three people were reportedly injured at Lovers and Friends in Las Vegas
  • Some attendees reported hearing gunshots, leading to a rush to escape
  • The gunshots were later declared to be a ‘false alarm’
  • Three people were reportedly trampled and taken to the hospital 
  • The incident occurred around 10 p.m., and the show resumed afterward 

Hundreds of people rushed away from the stage at the Lovers and Friends Festival after reports of gunshots at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Saturday.

Thousands of people had shown up to listen to hitmakers including Akon, T-Pain, Ashanti, Nelly, Usher, Ludacris and Ne-Yo before the commotion around 10 p.m. local time, according to TMZ.

In the panic, several people were allegedly trampled and hurt, and as of Sunday morning, local media outlets reported that three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

False alarm: Hundreds of people rushed away from the stage at the Lovers and Friends Festival after reports of gunshots at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Saturday. It turned out to be a false alarm; Usher seen performing

False alarm: Hundreds of people rushed away from the stage at the Lovers and Friends Festival after reports of gunshots at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Saturday. It turned out to be a false alarm; Usher seen performing

Warning:  Festival organizers paused the performances and put up a sign asking fans to stay in place

Warning:  Festival organizers paused the performances and put up a sign asking fans to stay in place 

Shortly after the incident was reported, the show was put on pause and festival organizers released a message on screens in the venue saying there was a security incident and urged festivalgoers to remain in place. 

Video on the Las Vegas Locally Twitter page show hundreds anxious attendees making a bee-line for the exit, but all are seen walking in an orderly fashion. 

Investigators from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police soon called the all-clear shortly afterward, saying there was no evidence of a shooting and the show resumed.

Rush: Hundreds of people rushed for the exits after the report. Three people were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries

Rush: Hundreds of people rushed for the exits after the report. Three people were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries

All clear:  After police determined no shots were fired, the show was allowed to resume, with Usher taking to the stage

All clear:  After police determined no shots were fired, the show was allowed to resume, with Usher taking to the stage

Usher quickly took to the Friends stage and started handing out Usher bucks to fans. The festival had three other stages, Lovers, Bling and Crunk, with performances taking place at intermittent periods.  

None of the artists who took the stage Saturday has commented publicly about the scare, which was a frightening reminder of two fatal concert-related tragedies. 

On November 5, 2021, 10 people died and hundreds were injured when the crowd rushed the stage at rapper Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. 

Line-up:  Ne-Yo had left the stage well before the incident was reported Saturday, and is scheduled to take the stage again on Sunday

Line-up: Ashanti put in her performance several hours prior to the security alert Saturday. She is scheduled to perform again Sunday

Line up: Ne-Yo and Ashanti are some of the artists scheduled to perform at the Lovers and Friends Festival.  Both  had left the stage well before the incident was reported Saturday

Investigators launched a criminal investigation into the incident, but no charges have been filed yet. 

The Can’t Say rapper has denied legal liability, although he has pleaded guilty in the past to charges stemming from his onstage conduct at concerts, including a count of reckless conduct in 2015 after telling fans to rush the stage during his performance at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival and again in 2017 to disorderly conduct after a show in Arkansas.

Lawsuits resulting the the Astroworld tragedy could results is millions of dollars in penalties against Scott and the festival organizers. 

Livin' it up: JaRule thrilled the crowd at the Las Vegas venue Saturday, in a 7:00 pm slot

Livin’ it up: JaRule thrilled the crowd at the Las Vegas venue Saturday, in a 7:00 pm slot

Major talent: Nelly appeared on the Lover's stage at the two-day festival featuring more than 50 artists

Major talent: Nelly appeared on the Lover’s stage at the two-day festival featuring more than 50 artists

The TKN artist has kept a low profile since the tragedy, but recently made some appearances at smaller events. He was scheduled to perform Sunday night on the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

In 2017, 60 people were killed and 867 wounded when a lone gunman opened fire on the crowd attending the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, also in Las Vegas, from his room at the Mandalay Bay hotel.  The shooter fired more than one thousand bullets, resulting in the largest mass shooting by an individual in US history. 

Day two of the Lovers and Friends Festival was scheduled to take place Sunday. 

Full Schedule: Akon is expected to take the stage again Sunday at the music festival

Full Schedule: T-Pain and dozens of others artists are expected to take the stage Sunday at the music festival

Full Schedule: The Lovers and Friends festival is expected to keep a full schedule on Sunday, with performances from Akon, T-Pain and dozens of other artists



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