March 21, 2005 23:44

THE GUNS OF BRIXTON

Nas show is abandoned after shots fired…

Shots have been fired during tonight’s (March 21) Nas concert at the LONDON CARLING BRIXTON ACADEMY.

According to an eye witness who spoke to NME.COM, two shots were fired while the show was going on.

“It was about 40 minutes into the gig when suddenly two gunshots went off, they came from right in the centre of the venue,” the gig-goer explained. “All of sudden everyone was pushing right to the sides, people were falling over trying to get away from where it was happening. The only place to go was in the girls toilets on the right, there was boys, girls, whatever in there.”

Nas is understood to have left the stage unharmed, and following a brief appearence by a support band, concert goers were eventually able to leave the building. The show was abandoned.

A police spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating that officers were "called to the venue at 21.56pm following reports of shots been fired inside".

“No one was injured, the premises have been evacuated and police are now searching the venue,” the spokesperson explained. “The suspect is described as a black male, no arrests have been made and inquiries continue.”

After the incident, the venue issued the following statement:

"At approximately 9.56pm on Monday 21st March 2005, police were called to Carling Academy Brixton following suspicion of an incident within the venue. Carling Academy Brixton can confirm that no-one has been injured at the scene and the premises were evacuated immediately for customer safety, following consultation with the police. Lambeth Police can also confirm that following a search of the venue, no arrests have been made and inquiries are continuing."

They added: "Carling Academy Brixton operates high levels of security as standard at every event with over one hundred security personnel present at today's show as well as full scanning and security checks upon entry of the audience."