8 shot at Atl. rapper's Ind. concert

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Eight teenage boys were shot following an Atlanta rapper’s concert in Indiana Friday night.

The shooting occurred in the parking lot of World of Skates in Gary, where Waka Flocka Flame, aka Juaqin Malphurs, had just performed.

The victims were taken to three hospitals, where some remained Saturday. Police say they ranged in age from 14 to 18, with wounds in the legs, wrist, stomach or back. The injuries weren't believed to be life-threatening.

The Post-Tribune newspaper reported that a “hype man” entertaining the crowd before Waka Flocka Flame took the stage pitted “East Side” versus “West Side.” That might have prompted the shooting, Cmdr. Michael Mallett told the newspaper.

“The kids have separated themselves into east and west sides,” he said. “They’ve been doing it for many years now, but it’s gotten worse, especially when you have entertainers making references to East Side vs. West Side. The youth in our community have taken it to heart.”

Someone opened fire as a group of about 200 teens waited in the parking lot for rides. One victim told police he was shot in the stomach by a black man with dreadlocks who was wearing a red hat, the newspaper reported.

Police have made no arrests in the Friday night shootings.

A day earlier, Malphurs was involved in a fight in downtown Atlanta between groups affiliated with rappers Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy. A security guard employed by Malphurs was detained. Malphurs, a member of Gucci Mane’s 1017 Brick Squad, had a swollen eye afterward.

Shots were fired during the altercation at Walter’s Clothing, but no one was hit.

In January, Malphurs was shot in the arm while washing his car on Old National Highway. Police said he was approached by armed men demanding his jewelry.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.