Patti LaBelle was forced to abruptly exit the stage Saturday night just two songs into her Christmas concert in Milwaukee after a bomb threat forced a sudden evacuation of the venue.
The R&B legend was visibly shocked when several men stormed the stage at the Riverdale Theater, moved her away from the microphone and ushered her off the stage, according to video footage posted to Twitter. The 78-year-old singer had no knowledge of the threat as she was being escorted away and could be heard saying, “Hold up! Wait!” as she was led away.
Patti LaBelle was taken off stage by security at a concert in Milwaukee tonight following a bomb threat pic.twitter.com/SeuCPrWVDj
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 11, 2022
The video shows the lights going dim on the stage as audience members gasped and began curiously inquiring about what was happening. The 2500-seat theater was evacuated shortly thereafter, according to The Guardian.
“Regarding the bomb threat in the 100 block of W. Wisconsin, all patrons have been safely evacuated,” Milwaukee Police Capt. Warren E. Allen Jr. said in an email statement 10:30 pm Saturday night, according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. ”
Allen Jr. returned with another update at roughly 1:13 am Sunday, informing the general public that there is no need for concern.
“The building was searched by K9 units,” Allen Jr. said in an email statement. “No explosive devices were discovered. There is no threat to the public at this time.” (RELATED: FBI Announces Arrest Over Bomb Threat At Boston Children’s Hospital)
Local news coverage showed heavy police presence outside of the theater as patrons quickly rushed to the nearest exit.
The operators of the Riverside Theater, Pabst Theater Group, noted they will work with LaBelle to reschedule the show at a later date, according to The Guardian.
Labelle and her camp have not yet released a public statement regarding this incident.