According to Metal Injection, the Summer Slaughter Tour’s stop in Tampa, FL tonight was delayed due to a shooting threat. Police evacuated The Ritz Theater earlier today after one attendee reported to security that they had overheard someone threaten to “shoot the singer of Job For A Cowboy.” After re-examining each attendee, police reportedly found no weapon and the show (a few hours behind) went back to normal.
Granted, this situation may have been made into a bigger deal than it needed to. However, considering the recent movie theater shootings Aurora, CO (and not to mention all of the recent concert related violence), you can’t blame security and the venue for being overly cautious. It’s simply a shame to hear of yet another incident happening at a metal show. On the plus side, the venue reportedly made it up to attendees by offering free drinks.
UPDATE: Job For A Cowboy drummer Jon “Charn” Rice has released the following statement to Blabbermouth, indicating that there was more to the threat than originally believed:
“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.”
We’ll keep you posted as more develops.
[picture via Periphery’s Jake Bowen]
