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Slip-N-Slide recording artist Plies has found himself in trouble with the law after a Gainesville, FL performance ended in violence early Sunday morning (July 2nd).
According to the Gainesville Sun, Fort Myers, FL rapper Plies and Louisiana rapper Lil' Boosie were scheduled to perform at Gainesville nightclub 238 West for a sold-out crowd of over 1,000. At 1:45am, Plies' performance was interrupted when his microphone was cut off to allow Lil' Boosie the remaining 15 minutes before closing time to perform.
238 West promoter Jonathan Corey Smith told police that Plies (born Algernod Lanier Washington) became enraged. A fistfight broke out and witnesses told police that members of Plies' entourage pulled out weapons and began firing, letting loose at least six rounds.
According to reports, Plies and three others attempted to leave via their Buick LaCrosse, but six policemen -- including one on horseback -- surrounded the car and held them at gunpoint.
Plies' brother, 31-year-old Ronnell Lawrence Lavatte, and another man, 21-year-old Tory Denard Carnegie, were each accused of firing at least three rounds and face attempted murder charges.
Police discovered five loaded firearms and several rounds of armor piercing ammunition in the vehicle and subsequently charged Plies and 21-year-old Keon D. McRae with illegal possession of a concealed weapon.
Four men and one young woman were injured during the shooting; Billy Dee Williams was shot in the neck; Michael Lamar Daymon was shot in the arm, Edwin Devasco Faircloth was shot in the stomach, Steve Ruben Jean-Jaques was shot in the foot and Dorian Shannel Johnson had her cheek grazed by a bullet. None of the injuries were life-threatening and all five victims were taken to Shands at the University of Florida and treated.
Club promoter Smith, also known as Jock Smooth, told the Gainesville Sun that security guards were instructed to pat down club patrons and check their purses before being admitted, but performers are normally allowed in through a back entrance to bring in equipment, which likely explains how the weapons made it into the club.
"I just never thought we'd have to really, really scrutinize an artist," Smith told reporters. "From now on, we're going to have to start checking their crates, maybe we'll even get metal detectors."
While Smith plans to boycott Plies in the future, 238 West, which is located on the busy corner of W.University and W. 3rd Street, will be open next weekend and has several more sold-out shows in coming weeks.
Gainsville Police public information officer Sgt. Keith Kameg told the Gainesville Sun that Smith did not initially cooperate with the police and also said the security at 238 West was not sufficient.
"Obviously adequate security wasn't there when so many people inside the club had weapons," Kameg told reporters. "It was basically a group of 3-year-olds fighting over a toy, but with ammunition that could cut through police vests."
Plies has been steadily growing his audience since his 2003 release Tell Dem Crackers Dat. He recently dueted with Slip-N-Slide labelmate Trina for the song "So Fresh." Slip-n-Slide elected not to comment for this story.
Source: sohh.com
According to the Gainesville Sun, Fort Myers, FL rapper Plies and Louisiana rapper Lil' Boosie were scheduled to perform at Gainesville nightclub 238 West for a sold-out crowd of over 1,000. At 1:45am, Plies' performance was interrupted when his microphone was cut off to allow Lil' Boosie the remaining 15 minutes before closing time to perform.
238 West promoter Jonathan Corey Smith told police that Plies (born Algernod Lanier Washington) became enraged. A fistfight broke out and witnesses told police that members of Plies' entourage pulled out weapons and began firing, letting loose at least six rounds.
According to reports, Plies and three others attempted to leave via their Buick LaCrosse, but six policemen -- including one on horseback -- surrounded the car and held them at gunpoint.
Plies' brother, 31-year-old Ronnell Lawrence Lavatte, and another man, 21-year-old Tory Denard Carnegie, were each accused of firing at least three rounds and face attempted murder charges.
Police discovered five loaded firearms and several rounds of armor piercing ammunition in the vehicle and subsequently charged Plies and 21-year-old Keon D. McRae with illegal possession of a concealed weapon.
Four men and one young woman were injured during the shooting; Billy Dee Williams was shot in the neck; Michael Lamar Daymon was shot in the arm, Edwin Devasco Faircloth was shot in the stomach, Steve Ruben Jean-Jaques was shot in the foot and Dorian Shannel Johnson had her cheek grazed by a bullet. None of the injuries were life-threatening and all five victims were taken to Shands at the University of Florida and treated.
Club promoter Smith, also known as Jock Smooth, told the Gainesville Sun that security guards were instructed to pat down club patrons and check their purses before being admitted, but performers are normally allowed in through a back entrance to bring in equipment, which likely explains how the weapons made it into the club.
"I just never thought we'd have to really, really scrutinize an artist," Smith told reporters. "From now on, we're going to have to start checking their crates, maybe we'll even get metal detectors."
While Smith plans to boycott Plies in the future, 238 West, which is located on the busy corner of W.University and W. 3rd Street, will be open next weekend and has several more sold-out shows in coming weeks.
Gainsville Police public information officer Sgt. Keith Kameg told the Gainesville Sun that Smith did not initially cooperate with the police and also said the security at 238 West was not sufficient.
"Obviously adequate security wasn't there when so many people inside the club had weapons," Kameg told reporters. "It was basically a group of 3-year-olds fighting over a toy, but with ammunition that could cut through police vests."
Plies has been steadily growing his audience since his 2003 release Tell Dem Crackers Dat. He recently dueted with Slip-N-Slide labelmate Trina for the song "So Fresh." Slip-n-Slide elected not to comment for this story.
Source: sohh.com