Fan Charged After Rushing Onstage at Beyonce, Jay-Z Concert
Beyonce and Jay-Z's On the Run II tour stop in Atlanta on Saturday night came to a frightening conclusion when a fan rushed the stage and attempted to chase down the couple.
Police say they are pursuing more charges against a man who rushed onstage during a Beyonce and Jay-Z concert in Atlanta.
Atlanta Police officer Lisa Bender told The Associated Press that 26-year-old Anthony Charles Thomas Maxwell ran on stage, approached Jay-Z and made contact with him as the On the Run II concert was ending Saturday night. Police say Maxwell was quickly stopped by security people and backup dancers with the rapper.
Bender says Maxwell was initially issued a citation for disorderly conduct and released, but police have added a charge of simple battery. He was treated for minor injuries, and Bender says there were no other injuries. It wasn’t immediately clear if Maxwell has a lawyer.
As the Carters finished performing their joint song “Apeshit” at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Maxwell ran onto the stage and attempted to follow the artists backstage, TMZ reported.
The show’s backup dancers stood in confusion before running to help. Security guards then tackled Maxwell to the ground. He was reportedly detained by police and written up for disorderly conduct before being released.
The chaotic incident was caught on video by other fans in the crowd. “Oh my God! What the hell?!” one audience member can be heard saying. “That fan got entirely too close to Beyonce, welp, somebody getting fired,” @CarliusLemon wrote on Twitter.
Beyonce’s publicist Yvette Noel-Schure on Sunday morning wrote on Instagram that the couple was “fine and looking forward to” their second show in Atlanta on Sunday night.
Aug. 26 10:50 p.m. Updated that Maxwell was charged.
