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Gunfire shots erupted in the early Sunday hours at an Atlanta club where Jermaine Dupri was hosting a party also attended by several celebrities such as Diddy, Nelly, Bow Wow, Usher, Nia Long and Gabrielle Union.
According to reports, there was only one minor injury, a gunshot wound to the arm sustained by a security guard, and no fatalities. The musicians were rushed outside the club by their bodyguards immediately after the shooting while the rest of the guests were forced to stay inside during an hour and a half investigation by police.
Investigations are currently underway but it appears things got out of control at around 3:30 a.m. after angry club guests were being double-charged by staff to gain access to the VIP roped-off area containing the celebrities. A shoving match ensued, people were kicked out, and the shot was fired. Nelly, Usher and Diddy were believed to be performing at the time of the shooting.
"I'm sad this incident happened because it interrupted a beautiful and loving party. But I'm happy none of my people or friends got hurt. And the party continues," Dupri was quoted by People as saying.
The party held at Club Dreams, marked the beginning of Dupri's third annual So So Def Summerfest Weekend, and was attended approximately 3,000 people.
The incident is still surrounded by a lot of confusion and many were not sure what had happened. A DJ thought the shot was just a champagne bottle being opened. While some people got out quickly afterwards, some celebrities and members of the crowd were not so lucky. Police came and shut everyone up inside for an hour and a half while they tried to work out the details. A representative for So So Def Summerfest Weekend called the shooting "an isolated incident."
Partygoer Nigel D. of realtalkny.net told People he didn't hear the shots but saw everyone ducking at around 3:30 a.m, "Nobody really knew what happened. It was dark in the club. And everyone was trying to get out of the VIP area, but there were so many people no one could really move."
Initially, the partygoers were announced that the sounds were probably caused by a bottle popping or a speaker problem, "But people, including the celebs, were still trying to leave, so I don't think anyone believed them," Nigel D. explained. "I got outside, and the cops shut the club down. No one inside could leave and no one outside in the parking lot could leave either. One of my friends was stuck inside the club and people were scared that the shooter was still inside."
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