Singer Patti LaBelle was rushed off the stage of a theatre in Milwaukee on Saturday night due to a bomb threat.
The 78-year-old music legend, holding a bouquet of flowers from a fan, was talking to the audience inside the Riverside Theater when two men suddenly swooped in. One pulled the mic stand away from LaBelle and tossed the bouquet on the floor.
A video clip of the tense moment shows a startled LaBelle exclaiming “Wait!” as three men start moving her off the stage.
LaBelle’s backing musicians can be seen dashing off the stage as well.
My love goes out to you Patti Labelle. You tried to make it such a loving and joyful holiday and someone had to ruin it for you #pattilabelle #Milwaukee #riversidetheatre #threat pic.twitter.com/VBRqANgA3D
— Sunshine ⁷ (@sunny_seokkie) December 11, 2022
In a statement, the venue said there was “a bomb threat investigated by the Milwaukee Police Department” and promised to reschedule the concert.
Police said the venue was safety evacuated and a canine unit was brought in to search the building.
Shortly before 1:30 a.m. local time Sunday, police said the investigation had concluded and no explosive devices were found.
“I was having a lovely night with my parents, getting to cross seeing Ms. Patti off my bucket list, and then it all went left,” tweeted concert-goer Adrienne Crossley. “This is just sad.”