Twelve Arrested At UAlbany Show

Fights broke out at a concert at SUNY Albany March 2nd, leading to 12 arrests and a canceled event that was set to feature Jim Jones.

The estimated 1,100 at the state college’s SEFCU Arena became rowdy after the building was evacuated when a fire alarm sounded, leaving the audience standing outside in the cold while officials sorted out the alert, which was apparently set off by audience members smoking, Albany’s Times Union reported.

A fight broke out on the arena floor after the crowd was let back in and was broken up quickly, the paper said. However, the venue’s managers decided to cancel the rest of the rap show, leading to more fights outside according to police.

The show’s promoter, Kofi Opoku-Agyemang of Crown Legend Worldwide, disputed the police’s crowd estimate, saying there were closer to 3,000 people there.

"The security and police were overwhelmed," he said, noting that it was the university’s decision to cancel the show. "They had a problem with people smoking, and just as I got on stage to make an announcement, the alarm went off."

He said he paid for security and did everything the university asked him to, and is now out $40,000.

All 12 arrested were charged with disorderly conduct, the Times Union said.

Opoku-Agyemang could not be reached for further comment.