Nicki Minaj Performance - H 2014
AP ImagesTwo members of Nicki Minaj‘s touring crew were stabbed outside of a bar in Philadelphia on early Wednesday morning, and one of the team members was killed in the incident, the rapper confirmed on Twitter.
Billboard has confirmed with the Philadelphia Police Department that two people were stabbed during an incident in the city last night, with one dead and one in critical condition. The Philadelphia PD would not reveal the names of the victims or any details of the incident. The men in Minaj’s Instagram photo, which she posted on Wednesday afternoon, have been confirmed to be De’Von “Day Day” Pickett, who was killed in the incident, and Eric Parker, who is in critical 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
“They had only been there for two days rehearsing for the tour,” wrote Minaj on Twitter. She added in an Instagram caption, “These guys flew into Philly for my tour rehearsals 2 days ago and were both stabbed last night. #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.”
According to an NBC-10 news report, the incident began during an argument inside the Che Bar & Grill in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood at around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The argument spilled outside, where witnesses say the two victims were stabbed several times. Police are interviewing witnesses to the murder and analyzing surveillance video of the scene.
A rep for Minaj did not immediately respond to request for comment. Pickett’s position within Minaj’s touring crew has yet to be confirmed, although TMZ refers to the Brooklyn resident as a “stage hand.”
Fabolous also posted about the incident on Instagram, writing that he has worked with both Pickett and Parker and that his “heart is heavy” with the news of their stabbings. “My friend @daydaydoesdis (left) died & my friend Eric Parker is in critical condition in the hospital fighting for his life,” he wrote. “I am still in shock & don’t want to believe this. And it hurts even more knowing how good these two dudes are. How hard these guys work. And how loyal they are to whoever they are down with & each other. Please send Eric Parker your blessings & a prayer for him to pull thru. And RIP to the fallen soldier Day Day.”
Minaj’s European headlining tour is scheduled to begin in Stockholm on March 16.
Joe Lynch contributed to this report.
This story first appeared on billboard.com
