Patti LaBelle rushed off stage by security amid bomb threat

vt-author-image

By Asiya Ali

Article saved!Article saved!

Patti LaBelle was taken off stage by security mid-show after a reported bomb threat was made at the venue.

On Saturday (December 10), the 78-year-old musical legend was seen speaking to the crowd at Riverside Theater in Milwaukee before two security guards stormed the stage and physically removed her.

In the video shared by a concertgoer, the 'Lady Marmalade' hitmaker was heard exclaiming "Hold up! Wait!" as the three individuals pushed her mic stand away and escorted her off-stage.

During the alarming ordeal, members of the crowd were also heard asking what has happened as the lights went dim on stage.

Watch the startling moment below:

In the footage, LaBelle dropped a flower bouquet from her hands and tried to put her microphone back on the mic stand before another security member overtook the job for her.

Two other security members then placed their hands behind the icon's back and worked together to get her out of sight. The singer's band also quickly left their stations to follow behind LaBelle and her security team.

Shortly afterward, the 2,500-seat theatre - which was nearly full - was evacuated. Concert attendee Catherine Brunson, who documented the moment on Facebook Live, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the evacuation happened two songs into the show.

"We came out and police had the block taped off. [...] A whole lot of people were pretty upset. [...] It’s scary," Brunson said. Another attendee, Scott Pierce, added: "Everybody very calmly exited the theater in a disbelieving manner.

"I heard lots of comments about how sad it was that someone would pull such a pathetic stunt," he said. "Before the incident, the crowd was really enjoying Patti," Pierce added. "Just sad that someone does this."

wp-image-1263183503 size-full
Patti Labelle was moved to safety by security staff while the situation was assessed. Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy

According to a statement made by Milwaukee Police Capt. Warren E. Allen Jr, after a thorough investigation "no explosives," were found at the scene.

"Regarding the bomb threat in the 100 block of W. Wisconsin, all patrons have been safely evacuated," the police said on Saturday (December 10), per Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Police are clearing the facility at this time. The investigation is fluid and ongoing."

In an additional statement issued on Sunday (December 11), Allen wrote: "The building was searched by K9 units. No explosive devices were discovered. There is no threat to the public at this time."

As of Monday, none of LaBelle's social media pages have posted a statement about the evacuation. Meanwhile, Riverside Theater operator, the Pabst Theater Group, shared on Twitter that the show was postponed.

"We are thankful for the efforts of the Milwaukee Police Department and our customers and staff for their safe and orderly exit," they wrote in one tweet. In another, they added: "We are working with the artist to reschedule the show."

Featured image credit: REUTERS / Alamy