Nicki Minaj Tour 2015 Crew Attack Update: Man Charged with Stabbing Rapper's Staff
The Philadelphia police confirmed on Tuesday that they have arrested and charged a suspect with the stabbing of a member of rapper Nicki Minaj's touring crew outside a local bar last week.
The police identified the suspect as Pierce Boykin, 31. He has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and other offenses following the stabbing of an unidentified 27-year-old man who was one of the crew members of Minaj's tour. The victim remained in critical condition in the hospital with wounds on his arm and side.
Boykin's bail is set for $200,000. As of this report, Boykin has not yet posted bail.
Another Minaj crew member, 29-year-old Devon Pickett, was fatally stabbed in the same incident outside the Che Bar and Grill in Philadelphia on Feb. 18 after an argument.
"The gentleman who is in custody is only charged with the stabbing of the male who is in critical condition," a Philadelphia police spokeswoman clarified.
"It is still an active investigation," she added. "Our homicide unit is still working the case."
In a tweet following the stabbing, Minaj said the two men had been in the city rehearsing for her upcoming tour.
Minaj's tour is due to start in Europe in March, according to her website. The rapper is known for numerous hit songs, including "Anaconda" and "Bang Bang."
According to reports, Pickett and his group were at the East Germantown Bar early Wednesday of last week. An argument broke out between a patron and the bartender, who was a friend of Pickett's group. Everyone was told to leave by the bar owner. Pickett's group, who was not involved in the fight, left, but waited outside for the bartender. When the bartender came out, a group of men had a heated exchange with Pickett's group and a fight soon erupted, and ended with the stabbings of the two men. It was reported that Pickett died soon after.
The alleged stabbing was the first criminal offense for Boykin in Philadelphia, according to reports. In June of 2014, he was charged in Montgomery County of retail theft and receiving stolen property, both misdemeanors.