Fans hospitalised after pepper spray attack at chart-topping rapper’s show
Six people were hospitalized following a pepper spray incident at JPEGMafia’s concert in Berlin earlier this week, according to reports.
The US rapper, producer, and singer performed at Huxley’s Neue Welt on Monday night as part of his ongoing European tour.
Several concertgoers were injured due to the pepper spray, with six people later being admitted to the hospital for respiratory issues, the Associated Press reported.
JPEGMafia, whose real name is Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks, reportedly cut the show short because of the incident.
Authorities are investigating the situation, and it’s unclear what led to the incident, though some users on social media have said an unknown audience member sprayed the substance over the crowd.
Reports indicate that the venue, which has a capacity of 1,600, was evacuated quickly after the incident.
Attendees were escorted to a parking lot by police and later allowed to leave, according to the German news agency dpa.
One fan on Reddit explained that one person sprayed the pepper spray, saying: ‘Can’t be mad at Peggy and his team for canceling the show.’
The fan further explained: ‘The crowd went insane after the first song. Everyone in the front was close to collapsing from the heat, but there was still so much energy. It’s sad it ended after six mosh pits, but it was such a fun time.’
Others shared their experiences, with one posting a video showing a large police presence outside the venue.
Some criticized the venue’s security team in the comments, while another fan recalled seeing people coughing and quickly leaving the venue.
Under German law, pepper spray is classified as a weapon, and its possession is illegal, although it’s allowed in self-defense situations.
The rapper is set to resume his tour in Milan on January 22, with upcoming performances in Barcelona, Paris, Utrecht, and Brussels.
He will also perform in the UK and Ireland later this year.
Fans hospitalised after pepper spray attack at chart-topping rapper’s show