Tyler The Creator Issues Statement on SXSW Arrest

Tyler The Creator was arrested last week for allegedly “inciting a riot” at SXSW. During his live performance at Scoot Inn, fans got a bit turnt-up and made their way into the venue. Hours later, Tyler was arrested by Austin Police and was charged with inciting a riot, a Class A misdemeanor. Today, he’s out on bail and his legal team has released an official statement that says the arrest was unwarranted and and the show was far from being a riot.

Tyler’s attorney Perry Q. Minton writes:

At no time during the… concert did Tyler seek to incite or participate in riotous activity as has been reported in the press. It is clear from video clips and witness reports that the patrons and fans attending the show on that date were full of positive energy appropriate for this type of event and never exhibited any anger or aggression whatsoever… For law enforcement or the media to describe the rush of fans through the gate and the subsequent benign, boisterous activity as a riot is an unfortunate and inaccurate description of what occurred… Tyler is not a violent individual and would never deliberately engage in any activity that would put another person at risk of being hurt.

Source: Associated Press