NYC Radio: WQHT Summer Jam Concert Turns Chaotic

(Nimi Hendrix via Instagram)

A WQHT Hopt 97 Hip-Hop and R&B concert in New Jersey erupted into chaos Sunday night when police in riot gear tried to contain agitated crowds.

The melee started when attendees tried to forcefully enter the Summer Jam concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, CNN reports.

"Security personnel at one of the entrance gates ... were confronted by crowds attempting to illegally enter the sold out Summer Jam concert by climbing over fences and forcing their way through security personnel," New Jersey State Police said.

Troopers on site asked for extra backup to help maintain order, Sgt. Gregory Williams said. Witnesses said authorities arrived in riot gear. Officers with shields used mace to disperse the crowd, causing more chaos and delaying the concert by hours, according to witnesses.



"People were falling down, trampling onto each other," a concertgoer said. "The concert started at 6 p.m. and at 9 p.m., people still weren't getting in."

Fights broke out as crowds pushed through a metal barrier. Others hurled bottles at officers, she said.

When things got chaotic, many departed without attending the concert.

The Summer Jam concert featured artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Chris Brown and Trey Songz.

Several arrests were made.

WQHT released the following statement:

"Due to strong demand for tickets for Summer Jam 2015, the show sold out early this evening. When fans realized tickets were not available at the box office, a small number of people created an unsafe environment, and for the safety of all guests, the New Jersey State Police were on scene to disperse the crowd.  The gates were closed at that time.  No further entry was permitted into the event. For ticket holders whose tickets were not scanned, refunds will be offered at the point of purchase."