"The Dozens" Turns to Bullets at Toad's Place

Police Thursday afternoon identified a suspect in a double shooting that took place at Toad’s Place—a melee that began with rival neighborhood-based rap groups engaged in an updated version of “the dozens.”

The shootings took place at 10:42 p.m. Wednesday while Toad’s hosted a showcase of local hip-hop groups, an evening that until the end was a peaceful family affair.

Here’s what happened, according to an account pieced together from interviews with an eyewitness present that night (who had performed earlier), the club, as well as police:

Toad’s did not, as is the custom at larger events of this kind, check people for guns when they entered the club. They didn’t use a wand or pat down most of the patrons or performers, because they expected a small crowd. Indeed, only 50-75 people were estimated to be in the club at any one time. Toad’s has some 700 patrons at a major event.

Most of the night was peaceful. Local performers, some getting their first big gig, came with their friends and family. No one caused trouble.

A group called CMS/Main Event took the stage around 10:30 p.m. (The group is composed of two formerly separate acts.) The five-member group came onstage with an entourage of some 10 fans. The sound man working the booth asked the fans to leave the stage. They did. For a while.

READ MORE