New York City

NYPD Looking to Question Cardi B's Bodyguards in Post-Met Gala Fray

An autograph-seeker walked up to the pregnant rapper and her entourage early Tuesday and it spiraled downward from there, the sources say

What to Know

  • The NYPD is looking to question Cardi B's bodyguards in connection with a possible attack after Monday night's Met Gala
  • The inquiry stems from an incident involving an autograph-seeker and a verbal then physical altercation that ensued
  • No charges have been filed in the case at this time; the autograph-seeker was taken to a hospital and is expected to be OK

The NYPD is looking to talk to Cardi B's bodyguards in connection with an alleged attack on an autograph-seeker outside the Mark Hotel following Monday night's star-studded Met Gala, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation tell News 4. 

Cops responding to a 911 call of an assault around 2:15 a.m. Tuesday were told the autograph-seeker had approached the pregnant rapper outside the hotel, and the individual and Cardi B's entourage started arguing, the sources say.

"'Come on, don't be like, that, mama,'" the autograph-seeker is heard in a video telling Cardi B when she ignored his request. 

At some point, the argument turned physical. There was shoving and the autograph-seeker was pushed to the ground, according to the sources. Cardi B and her entourage left the scene and the autograph-seeker was taken to a hospital in stable condition. The person is expected to be fine. 

Daniel S. Szalkiewicz, an attorney for the victim, sent a statement to News 4 Tuesday, saying, "Our client was beaten to a pulp for requesting an autograph... The videos clearly show this was not an act of self-defense. The assailants fled the scene to avoid being arrested for their savage attack. No fan should ever be treated in this manner and words never justify violence." 

No charges have been filed in the case at this time, but the sources tell News 4 police do want to speak with the witnesses close to Cardi B, who showed off her baby bump at the gala earlier in a pearl-drenched gown and headdress by Jeremy Scott.  

The "Bodak Yellow" singer long kept her pregnancy under wraps, debuting her bump on "Saturday Night Live" and then announcing on Instagram late last month that she'd cancel upcoming performances to focus on her pregnancy. 

Cardi B was scheduled to perform at music festivals through July, including JMBLYA Festival in May and New York City’s Panorama Festival in July.

The soon-to-be mom admitted now that she’s reaching the end of her pregnancy she’s having a harder time singing and dancing on stage.


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