The two, De’Von Pickett, 29, and Eric Parker, 27, along with friends, were at a bar in the East Germantown part of the city when it was cleared due to an altercation. It’s unclear if that was related to the stabbing, but while outside at about 2 a.m., waiting for a bartender to see she got to her car safely, they were approached by two or three men.
A story in Philly.com said that an argument of some sort quickly ensued and Pickett and Parker were stabbed; it does not appear anyone else was hurt. They were taken to hospital and Pickett died of his injuries; Parker survived and at last report is listed in critical condition with stab wounds to his arm and left side.
“Two members of my team were stabbed last night in Philly,” Minaj wrote on Twitter. “One was killed. They had only been there for two days rehearsing for the tour.” Minaj said it was “another senseless attack that took the life of a great guy.” She called it “unbelievable.”
Pickett was an experienced road crew worker and had worked for other artists, including Brittany Spears and Kanye West. Rihanna was on the West tour with Pickett and posted a photo of her and the deceased man along with her condolences. Pickett and Parker were known as hard workers.
Police have a description of the man believed to have done the stabbing but no arrests have been made.
