Three people were injured – two of them critically – in a shooting at a Boosie Badazz concert in Ohio, US.

The incident curtailed the rapper’s performance at the FieldHouse Lounge in Akron in the early hours of Monday (10 March).

As per People, a police report said: “A fight broke out, and an unidentified male suspect fired multiple shots, striking the victims. The suspect fled the scene following the shooting.”

Akron police department deputy chief Michael Miller tells TMZ the gunman is believed to have evaded security by slipping through a blind spot or side door.

Two men, aged 18 and 36, were taken to hospital with “apparent” gunshot wounds and are reported to be in a critical condition. A third casualty, aged 42, also received treatment for a “graze gunshot injury”.

“We are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent something like this from ever happening again”

The 375-cap venue has released a statement on social media saying it is “deeply saddened by the tragic incident that took place at our establishment”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this event,” it continues. “To our loyal customers and supporters, we sincerely apologise for the fear and distress this incident caused. The safety and well-being of our guests are always our top priority and we are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent something like this from ever happening again.

“We are committed to fully cooperat[ing] with the city of Akron to ensure the safety of our community. We appreciate your support and trust during this difficult time.”

Last August, two men were shot dead at a car show and music festival in Iowa, US, shortly before a scheduled set by rapper Badazz.

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A festival set by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil had to be cut short following reports of a nearby shooting.

Neil was starring at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, US on Saturday (23 September), when the incident took place.

The 62-year-old singer was ordered off the stage just before 9pm after performing around three-quarters of his planned set on the event’s Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage.

ABC reports that shots were fired during an argument between two groups of people at the Oklahoma State Fair Bennett Event Center, which police say sent crowds running for their safety.

“Crazy night last night 3/4 of the way thru the set people started running,” Neil tells his followers on X (formerly Twitter). “We were told to get in dressing room. There were shooters shooting people. Thank you fans for your understanding.”

“This was an isolated incident, one person was shot and two people taken into custody”

In a statement, local police confirm two people were taken into custody following the shooting. One has since been released.

“This was an isolated incident, one person was shot and two people taken into custody,” says a statement. “A handgun was recovered, and the victim transported to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.”

Guns are banned at the fairground, and police say there are security and detectors at the entrances. One person has been arrested on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, while the victim remains in hospital in a critical condition.

The disturbance came just over two weeks after one person was wounded in a shooting at a concert in Memphis, Tennessee, headlined by Lil Baby. The rapper was reportedly rushed off the stage after shots were fired at the concert, held at the 19,000-cap FedExForum on 7 September.

A male victim was taken to hospital following the shooting, which police believe was premeditated. AP notes that is not yet known how the shooter managed to bring a gun into the arena, which contracts with a private security company to screen people for weapons.

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Sony Music Holdings has been ordered to pay US$160 million (€152m) in damages following a fatal shooting at a Cousin Stizz concert it organised in Atlanta.

Four people were shot after a gunman opened fire just as the rapper was about to take to the stage at the 1,000-cap Masquerade venue in Underground Atlanta on 12 November, 2017. Two of the casualties – Giovan Diaz, 22, and Ewell Ynoa, 21 – died from catastrophic gunshot wounds. A 25-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with their murder.

According to court documents, Sony Music Holdings was the promoter, planner, supervisor and manager of the show, but allegedly failed to put security measures in place and carry out reasonable inspections of the venue, reports Music Business Worldwide.

The $160m was awarded by a Dekalb County, Georgia jury for Sony’s role in “failing to protect patrons” and will be used to compensate the victims’ families. The trial, which followed several years of litigation, consisted of two previously consolidated cases.

“This verdict represents an incredible day of justice for our clients and for the safety of all people that attend concerts across America,” says lead trial counsel Parker Miller of Beasley Allen. “Obviously, these types of cases do not come around often. This was a mass shooting in a crowded concert. There were multiple deaths, and Gio and Wells suffered significantly before losing their fight for life, as eyewitnesses outlined.”

“Juries don’t award these types of verdicts unless there is a confluence of circumstances, which was the case here”

Miller continues: “The trial was incredibly emotional because of what these families, and the world, lost. One of these men had been told he would be a father just a few hours before the shooting happened. Combine that with the fact the concert endangered everyone, and this defendant refused to participate in the legal process, and you get the type of verdict we saw here.”

Sony has declined to comment on the verdict.

“Juries don’t award these types of verdicts unless there is a confluence of circumstances, which was the case here,” adds Darren Summerville of The Summerville Firm. Our system has always turned to our citizens to lend a voice when a company endangers others with wholly unnecessary suffering and death. Just as importantly, ignoring the legal process always represents a risk for an entity that thinks it need not participate.”

Tiffany M Simmons, managing partner of Simmons Law in Atlanta, Georgia, adds: “There is no excuse for how poorly secured this production was. We are humbled by the jury’s decision, and we hope this sends a message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated.”

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