Exclusive Photos/Video: Gun Violence Derails T.I. Concert in New York

As the clock neared a quarter after 10 p.m., and the crowd grew antsy in anticipation of rapper T.I‘s performance, a fight broke out on the balcony level at Irving Plaza. As the crowd ran for cover, a shot was heard and the concert-goers still left in the building soon raced for the exit. Several more shots were fired as the NYPD officers raced inside the venue with their guns drawn.

This was scene at the scheduled T.I. performance in New York, which had succumbed to gun violence moments before the Atlanta rapper was supposed to take the stage. One person was killed in the shooting and three others were wounded and sought medical attention. One of the victims has been confirmed as Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave.

According to police, the shooting occurred in the third-floor green room area at Irving Plaza. Police said at the time of the shooting, T.I. was in the venue.

About 1,000 people jammed into the famed venue to see T.I.  Concert conglomerate Live Nation leases Irving Plaza for concerts, including for performances of artists it has exclusive promotions deals with. Through his Roc Nation distribution deal, T.I.’s concert are being presented via Live Nation.

This wasn’t the first shooting to be associated with a T.I. concert. In May 2006, T.I.’s childhood friend and assistant was killed following the after-party to a T.I. concert in Cincinnati.

Given such history, it was perplexing to many concert-goers why there were no metal detectors or why attendees weren’t given a stern frisking that would typically occur at a concert of that magnitude.

Exclusive Human Nature photos and videos below

Human Nature was at the concert and has exclusive video below of the events

People running for their lives down the Irving Plaza Stairs

After the shooting at Irving Plaza

Live Report from Human Nature editor Chris Windham