LOS ANGELES – Violence erupted at two of the many pre-parties leading up to the June 29 BET Awards ceremony, with separate shooting and stabbing incidents leaving one person dead and several injured. The parties were not formally affiliated with the ceremony.
Police say the shooting occurred at 5:17 a.m. on June 29, at or just outside Monalizza Restaurant & Banquet Hall. Of the five people hit by rounds from the lone shooter, who remains at large, three were rushed to the hospital by ambulance and the two others sought medical attention on their own. One of the three taken by ambulance later died.
The stabbing incident took place at the Lure Nightclub at 8:45 p.m. on June 28. It took place shortly after a fight broke out on the dance floor within the venue. The victim, in his 20s, was hospitalized but is in stable condition.
The 14th BET Awards, set for Nokia Theatre here June 29, cap off a weekend of live performances running from June 27-29 at the Staples Center and Club Nokia collectively called the BET Experience at L.A. Live. Numerous pre-parties also take place in the run-up to to the awards show, hosted this year by Chris Rock, with performances from Pharrell Williams, Usher, John Legend and Nicki Minaj, among others.
