Two members of rapper Nicki Minaj’s tour crew were stabbed in Philadephia’s West Oak Lane neighbourhood on Wednesday morning, after an altercation inside the Che Bar and Grill spilled out onto the street.
Tour manager De’Von Pickett, 29, suffered multiple stab wounds to the torso and died at Albert Einstein Medical Center at 2.45am local time (8.45am in the UK). Eric Parker, a 27-year old tour manager, was hospitalised after being stabbed in the arm and torso. By Thursday morning, NBC Philadelphia had reported that Reed was in fair condition.
Two members of my team were stabbed last night in Philly. One was killed. They had only been there for two days rehearsing for the tour.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 18, 2015
Pickett and Parker, both New Yorkers, were in Philadelphia making preparations for Minaj’s Pinkprint tour, due to begin on 16 March in Stockholm, Sweden.
“These guys flew into Philly for my tour rehearsals 2 days ago and were both stabbed last night,” Minaj wrote, in an Instagram photo caption. “#RIPDAYDAY condolences to your family. Unbelievable. Eric (on the right) is recovering. Another senseless act of violence that took the life of a great guy. So sad.”
Pop star Rihanna, musician Questlove and Brooklyn rapper Fabolous are among those who have paid tribute to Pickett on social media since his death.
“Please send Eric Parker your blessings & a prayer for him to pull thru,” wrote Fabolous in an Instagram post. “And RIP to the fallen soldier Day Day.”
