As previously reported, last night the 2012 Summer Slaughter tour stop at the Ritz in Tampa, Florida was delayed by "a couple of hours". Here is exactly what happened:
After a female bartender reportedly received a note that stated that during JOB FOR A COWBOY's set, a man was going to hurt people.... Cops were immediately called. Once they arrived at the scene they went ahead and evacuated the venue for the safety of all the attendees. Then the cops searched for weapons with a K-9 and the security guards from the Ritz searched every single attendee for weapons. They didn't find any weapons or the suspect.
Once Police deemed it safe for the show to continue, the attendees made their way into the venue and were surprised by a round of free drinks due to the delays. Thank goodness the bartender, the Police and the security team from the venue, reacted so promptly!
JFAC's drummer Jon "Charn" Rice sent this statement to Blabbermouth about the incident:
"Just to clarify the events that happened this evening, a note was passed to the bartender stating that during our set a man with two knives and a gun was going to hurt people. Cops were called and after the proper precautions were taken, the show set off again, albeit a bit behind. No one was hurt and everyone involved is safe."
Here is the official statement from the authorities (via Tampa Bay Online):
"Almost 1,000 people, customers and employees, were evacuated from the Ritz Theatre, 1503 E. 7th Ave., before the Summer Slaughter Tour. A customer heard two other customers talk about shooting people once the concert started at the club", police said.
"Management at the Ritz Theatre became worried and called police at around 5:34 p.m.", police said. "The club was evacuated from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and part of 7th Avenue was closed.
When police officers arrived, they evacuated the building and searched for weapons with a K-9", police said.
"No weapons were found in the club and the people who had been evacuated were allowed back in.
Once people got inside, police officers got on stage and told the audience what had happened and why they were evacuated. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause and thanked the officers, police said."
Here is some video of the crowd outside the venue:
SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR (remaining tour dates):
7/31- Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
8/01- Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
8/02- Knoxville, TN @ The Valarium
8/03- Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
8/04- Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
8/05- Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
8/07- Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
8/08- New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
8/09- Albany, NY @ Northern Lights
8/10- Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
8/11- Montreal, QC @ Heavy Montreal
8/12- Toronto, ON @ Heavy Toronto
8/14- Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
8/15- Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew's
8/16- Chicago, IL @ House Blues
8/17- Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
8/18- St. Paul, MN @ Station 4
8/20- Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
8/22- Seattle, WA @ The Showbox Sodo
8/23- Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
8/24- San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
8/25- Anaheim, CA @ The Grove
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