Nicki Minaj Road Crew Member Killed in Philadelphia

UPDATE 2: After new evidence pointed to Boykin as the man responsible for the stabbing of both men, he has now been charged with murdering De’Von Pickett, according to Associated Press. 

UPDATE: A Philadelphia man was arrested and charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in connection with the fight that left Nicki Minaj’s road manager De’Von Pickett dead and another man injured, according to Philly.com. Pierce Boykin will face charges for his alleged role in the injury of the unidentified victim, yet police believe a different assailant is responsible for Pickett’s murder. No arrests have been made in connection with Pickett’s murder. 

One member of Nicki Minaj’s touring crew was killed and another seriously injured early Wednesday morning following an altercation in Philadelphia, where rehearsals for Minaj’s upcoming trek were underway. “Two members of my team were stabbed last night in Philly. One was killed,” the rapper tweeted. “They had only been there for two days rehearsing for the tour.”

De’Von Pickett, a roadie, was killed after an argument broke out at Philadelphia’s Che Bar & Grill. Eric Parker, another man involved with Minaj’s rehearsals, survived multiple stab wounds to his side in the incident and was taken to an area hospital in critical condition, TMZ reports.

The suspect – allegedly an ex-employee of the restaurant – is still at large. “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,” Chief Inspector Scott Small told NBC Philadelphia in a story Minaj retweeted.

Minaj posted a photo of the two victims on Instagram, writing, “Unbelievable. Eric (on the right) is recovering. Another senseless act of violence that took the life of a great guy. So sad.”

As news of Pickett’s death spread, artists who have worked with the stagehand sent their condolences on social media. Rihanna posted a photo of Pickett with a caption that read “Can’t believe this is true! one of the nicest, coolest, funniest people I’ve ever met and toured with! We had so much fun together!!! Sad to lose a beautiful spirit like yours.” Pickett had worked with Rihanna when the singer appeared on Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark tour, the Daily Mail writes.

Sadly, the last three tweets on Pickett’s Twitter, made hours before his death, read “LIFE #GODISTHEGREATEST,” “Namaste” and “Be Great.”