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Nicki Minaj tour manager fatally stabbed in Philadelphia bar two days after joining crew

De'Von Pickett died and another manager Eric Parker was injured

Heather Saul
Thursday 19 February 2015 16:42 GMT
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Nicki Minaj performing on her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour in Auckland, New Zealand
Nicki Minaj performing on her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour in Auckland, New Zealand (AP)

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Nicki Minaj has sent her condolences to the family of one of her crew members who was fatally stabbed in Philadelphia just two days after joining her tour.

Tour manager De’Von Pickett, 29, and a second man Eric Reed, 27, were stabbed repeatedly during an altercation outside the Che' Bar and Grill in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Mr Pickett suffered stab wounds to his torso and was rushed to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, NBC News reports.

Mr Parker, who was stabbed in his left arm and side, is recovering in hospital. He is reported to be in a ‘fair’ condition.

The Anaconda rapper sent her condolences to Mr Pickett’s family on Instagram, where she wrote: “Another senseless act of violence that took the life of a great guy. So sad.”

Rihanna also paid tribute to Mr Pickett on social media, describing him as “one of the nicest, coolest, funniest people I've ever met and toured with”.

Both men were tour managers for Minaj’s ‘The Pinkprint Tour’. Mr Pickett was well known within the music industry and had worked with stars including Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake.

Chief Inspector Scott Small said he believed the incident happened shortly after an argument broke out in the bar. “We believe that both of the victims, as well as the perpetrator, were all inside of this bar and that’s when an argument started,” he told reporters.

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