Drake, Others Sued In Toronto Attack

Akiel Catwell claims he was severely beaten by three bodyguards working for Waka Flocka Flame after the rapper agreed to take a photograph with him, according to the Toronto Mail and Globe.

Drake, his distribution company OVO Inc., and Muzik are named defendants. Catwell was at the nightclub with his girlfriend in the VIP area the night in question, attending an event reportedly billed as the “OVOFest Afterparty featuring Drake.” “

The defendants, either individually or collectively, knew or ought to have known that this afterparty would cause or foster an environment of unusual danger to the patrons of Muzik nightclub, knowing that Muzik nightclub has a history of violence,” the Globe and Mail quotes from documents filed in Ontario Superior Court.

Muzik is located on the grounds of Toronto’s Exhibition Place.

The paper reports celebrities, pro athletes, entertainers, models and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford frequent the club, with nine bars located within its more than 40,000 square feet of space.

All-ages EDM events were recently banned over safety concerns including accusations that drug dealers and pedophiles attend such events.

Catwell claims Drake is “personally liable” as the host of the event and his company OVO and Muzik had a legal duty “to ensure there would be no harm to its patrons” that night, according to the paper.

Drake is represented in the case by David Young, a former attorney-general of Ontario. Court documents reportedly say the hip-hop star was not at the event where the alleged assault occurred and is not responsible for security at Muzik, adding that damages claimed by Catwell are “grossly excessive.”

Muzik’s defense statement suggests Catwell may have provoked the attack, denies any liability and makes a claim against the other defendants for any money it may ultimately be required to pay out, according to the Globe and Mail.

Catwell alleges the incident began when he and his girlfriend walked outside Muzik to hail a taxi about 2:15 a.m. and saw Waka Flocka Flame near a black SUV. He claims they shook hands, but after his girlfriend took a picture of them, the bodyguards pushed Catwell, then punched and kicked him until he lost consciousness, according to the suit.

He reportedly suffered a concussion, three teeth broken or chipped and lacerations to his face, arms and legs.