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Cops assembled outside of the Roxy in West Hollywood this afternoon in response to a massive crowd that formed when folks lined up to get free tickets to a concert featuring the rapper Future tonight.
L.A. County Sheriff's Lt. William Nash tells LAist that about 700 people were waiting in line outside the music venue on Sunset Boulevard. Because the crowd spilled into the street, deputies had to shut down the street between San Vicente and Doheny in order to keep everyone safe. He says it's unclear how long they'll have to keep it closed, but they have about 30 deputies out there guarding the area. Nash said he heard from other deputies that the "group was unruly."
TMZ posted a video of the scene, showing some deputies walking around the Sunset Strip, including one who was carrying a riot gun.
Nash says that while he wasn't on scene and can't say anything for sure about the riot gear, he said it is regular protocol for deputies to be in riot gear for massive gatherings like this one. Plus, he said authorities weren't informed by Future's team that they would be handing out free wristbands today. TMZ heard that fans started lining up at 9 a.m., and when the wristbands were handed out at 1 p.m. to the first 500 people in line with proof of purchase of Future's newest album, things got a little crazy.
The concert, which takes place at midnight tonight, is part of a promotion for Future's third album, DS2, which dropped last week.
Update: The Roxy tweeted this afternoon that the Future concert has been canceled:
Future will no longer be performing at The Roxy tonight. Please follow @1future for updates.
— The Roxy Theatre (@theroxy) July 23, 2015
On Facebook, The Ataris wrote that their concert will go on tonight at The Roxy as scheduled.
Here are some photos and videos of the scene on Sunset Boulevard today:
@1future the Roxy too small bro pic.twitter.com/YMYX0BFFtg
— Â. (@BestDressCEO) July 23, 2015
There is a lot of yelling and hooting. Police are urging them onto the sidewalk. pic.twitter.com/AcQEubvPj7
— James J (@ModernTuba) July 23, 2015
Final pic of The Roxy before I do lunch. Police pow wow down below right now. pic.twitter.com/LPgcMXgdbZ
— James J (@ModernTuba) July 23, 2015