Anthony Charles Thomas Maxwell was initially cited for disorderly conduct, but Atlanta police officers have now charged him with simple battery.
- Aug 28, 2018
AceShowbiz - A man who allegedly stormed the stage at Beyonce and Jay-Z's concert in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, August 25 has been arrested and charged with battery.
Anthony Charles Thomas Maxwell, 26, was initially cited for disorderly conduct and released, but Atlanta police officers have now charged him with simple battery - the force's Lisa Bender told The Associated Press.
The suspect allegedly ran onto the stage at the city's Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Beyonce and Jay's "On the Run II Tour" concert was ending on Saturday and made contact with the rapper after approaching him.
Police officers have reported that the accused was stopped by security staff and the hip-hop superstar's backup dancers after he stormed the stage as the husband and wife duo finished performing their joint track "Apes**t". The intruder was treated for minor injuries but no one else was hurt in the incident.
The battery charge comes despite a statement from the music power couple in which they declared that they did not intend to personally press charges.
"At the end of last night's show, we had an intoxicated male enter the stage," a statement on Beyonce and Jay's On the Run II tour website reads. "At this point, we had a controlled evacuation of all crew on the stage in order to safely defuse the situation. We are happy to confirm that nobody was hurt during the incident, and Mr. & Mrs. Carter (Jay-Z and Beyonce) are choosing not to press charges against the individual."
Beyonce, 36, and Jay, 48, have yet to personally comment on the incident, but the "Crazy In Love" singer's publicist has thanked fans for their concerns and added that the tour would continue as normal.
The stars returned to the stage for a second Atlanta date on Sunday. They are now on the final stretch of the "On the Run II Tour" - which will end in Seattle, Washington in October.
