Concert Violence Continues: Boosie Badazz and a Troubling Pattern
From the recent Akron shooting that left two in critical condition to past incidents in Iowa, California, and Florida, Boosie’s concerts have been marred by violence for nearly two decades.
2025: Shooting at Akron Concert Leaves Three Injured
A Boosie Badazz concert in Akron, Ohio, turned violent when a shooting inside the venue left three people injured, including two in critical condition.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday (March 10, 2025) at the Field House Lounge. According to Cleveland 19, shots were fired during Boosie’s performance, causing chaos in the crowded bar. Footage shows the rapper ducking and fleeing as gunfire erupts.
Off-duty officers working security at the event immediately called for backup. Police reported that an 18-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, while a 25-year-old man was treated for a graze wound. Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from a fight that broke out during the concert.
No suspects have been identified, and Boosie has yet to publicly address the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to The Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS.
2024: Iowa Concert Canceled After Deadly Shooting
On August 10, 2024, a tragic shooting in Iowa left two people dead just hours before rapper Boosie Badazz was set to perform at The Pull Up Car Show and Music Fest. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the I-29 Speedway in Pacific Junction, prompting authorities to cancel the event.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the victims were identified as 28-year-old Marcus L. Johnson and 27-year-old Charles A. Williams Jr., both from Nebraska. A motive for the shooting was not confirmed.
Boosie, who was one of several artists slated to perform alongside Rob49 and Rich the Factor, took to Instagram after the event was shut down, saying, “They just shut the concert down. I’ve been in the back a couple of hours waiting to perform and [police] just shut the concert down. I don’t know. Some shit happened in the front.”
Despite the tragic circumstances, the 41-year-old rapper encouraged fans to continue the night at a local lounge, stating, “The party don’t stop.”
2017: Gunfire Erupts at Gardena, California Concert
On November 3, 2017, a Boosie Badazz concert at Choppers Den motorcycle club in Gardena, California, took a violent turn when two people were reportedly shot. According to TMZ, the victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities responded around midnight to a chaotic scene, where they took a report for assault with a deadly weapon. As of the following night (Nov. 4), the investigation was still ongoing, and no arrests had been made.
Following the Gardena incident, Boosie took to Instagram, writing, “They say Cali crazy n sometimes… they was fighting the whole night… they showed me nothing but love tho.”
2006: Chaos at 238 West – Plies’ Mic Cut Sparks Concert Shooting
On July 2, 2006, a sold-out crowd of approximately 1,000 people had gathered to watch Plies and Lil Boosie take the stage at 238 West, a downtown Gainesville, Florida nightclub. However, tensions allegedly escalated when Plies’ microphone was cut off at 1:45 a.m. to allow Boosie to perform. Witnesses report that Plies, whose real name is Algernod Lanier Washington, became enraged. A verbal dispute quickly turned physical, culminating in at least six shots being fired into the crowd.
Panic ensued as concertgoers either dropped to the ground or rushed toward the exits, abandoning their belongings in the process.
Gainesville Police swiftly responded to the scene, arresting four men, including Plies. Two of the rapper’s entourage members, Ronell Lawrence Lavatte, 31, and Tory Denard Carnegie, 21, were charged with attempted murder, accused of firing at least three rounds each. Plies and Keon D. McRae, 21, were charged with illegal possession of a concealed weapon after authorities found five loaded firearms and armor-piercing ammunition in a vehicle linked to the group.
The victims included Billy Dee Williams, who sustained a gunshot wound to the neck; Steve Ruben Jean-Jaques, who was shot in the foot; Edwin Devasco Faircloth, who suffered a stomach wound; Michael Lamar Daymon, who was hit in the arm; and Dorian Shannel Johnson, who was grazed by a bullet on the cheek.
Boosie Recalls Concert Shootout with Plies
In a 2024 interview with VladTV, the Louisiana rapper reflected on the 2006 shootout at a concert where both he and Plies performed.
According to Boosie, Plies' set ran longer than expected, leading the promoter to cut his mic. This sparked a heated argument between Plies' crew and the promoter, escalating into chaos. “All hell broke loose,” Boosie recalled. Tragically, five people were shot.
“Everybody thought that shit happened with me and Plies, but it didn’t,” he explained. “They held that shit that Boosie and Plies were beefing all the way until I went to prison. They put Boosie and Plies against each other. I had nothing to do with it.”
Boosie clarified that he had no involvement in the situation, explaining that he was just waiting for his turn to perform. “When people in they home state, they gotta do their thing. I guess they turned off his music,” he said, adding that he's also had his mic cut before but chooses to keep the energy going by letting the audience sing along. “As long as I get my backend,” he shrugged.
Following the incident, Plies and members of his crew were arrested. While Plies was let off with probation, his brother was sentenced to three years and released in 2009. The Florida rapper was later hit with a $10 million lawsuit related to the shooting, though the final outcome remains unclear.
