New York Post

Bomb scare at LaBelle’s show

Rushed off stage after threat

- By EMILY SELLECK eselleck@nypost.com

Patti LaBelle was rushed off stage at her concert in Milwaukee on Saturday night amid a bomb scare.

Social-media videos taken by audience members at the Riverside Theater show LaBelle crying as three men pushed her mic stand away and got her off stage while she was talking to the crowd.

One of the staff members could be seen grabbing her by the arm and forcing her to drop a bouquet of flowers she was holding as they escorted her away with no explanatio­n.

The singer’s band members quickly followed behind, while puzzled concertgoe­rs were heard asking, “What happened?” Organizers later confirmed the show had been halted, and ultimately postponed, due to a major security threat.

“Tonight’s Patti LaBelle show at the Riverside Theater has been postponed following a bomb threat investigat­ed by the Milwaukee Police Department,” Pabst Theater Group said in a statement.

After LaBelle, 78, was removed from the stage, authoritie­s evacuated everyone else from the theater.

“All patrons have been safely evacuated,” officials said.

“Police are clearing the facility at this time. The investigat­ion is fluid and ongoing.”

Fans were quick to flood social media, including one person who shared video footage taken outside the theater as patrons spilled onto the street.

“We do not know if we can go back inside to the venue,” the woman filming the video was heard saying.

“It would be up to the Riverside Theater if we can go back inside, but now everything’s on halt.”

Representa­tives for LaBelle did not return requests for comment.

 ?? ?? SURPRISE EXIT: Security people grab a startled Patti LaBelle at a theater in Milwaukee and rush her off stage after a bomb threat. The audience was also evacuated.
SURPRISE EXIT: Security people grab a startled Patti LaBelle at a theater in Milwaukee and rush her off stage after a bomb threat. The audience was also evacuated.

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