30 SECONDS TO MARS - 30 SECONDS TO MARS EVENT SCRAPPED AFTER BOMB SCARE30 SECONDS TO MARS EVENT SCRAPPED AFTER BOMB SCARE
Rockers 30 SECONDS TO MARS called off a screening of their documentary in Los Angeles on Thursday night (04Feb10) following a bomb scare.
The band, fronted by Jared Leto, was due to show the film to fans at The Hive venue in West Hollywood, but the event was scrapped and the building evacuated after a man rushed the stage and dropped a suspicious looking package at the singer's feet.
Footage posted online shows Leto grabbing the man and pulling him away from the crowd into a back room.
Police were called to the venue and the building was evacuated, with cops sealing off the streets around the area.
A representative for The Hive updated fans via social networking site Twitter.com in a series of posts.
The messages read, "Evacuating due to bomb scare. The police are blocking off the streets around The Hive for about 4 blocks. Stay tuned. Bomb squad at The Hive now."
The posts then confirm the event was scrapped and rescheduled for Friday night (05Feb10): "We are going to do the event tomorrow night. Sorry to everyone who waited and didn't make it in. To anyone who travelled from afar (Chicago, Germany, etc.) We sincerely apologise for what happened. Obviously we didn't intend on this (sic)."
A post on Leto's official Twitter page adds, "Crazy night. I just finished with the police. They cleared 5 blocks + brought in the bomb squad + dogs. We will finish the event tomorrow."
Celebrity website TMZ.com reports the suspect was taken into police custody following the incident. No further information was available as WENN went to press.
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/30-seconds-to-mars-event-scrapped-after-bomb-scare_1131126Jared Leto saves fans from alleged bomberAccording to internet reports, 30 Seconds To Mars frotnman Jared Leto saved fans from an alleged suicide bomber last night in Los Angeles.
Fans were gathered at The Hive in West Hollywood for a special screening of a new 30 Seconds To Mars documentary when, at approximately 8:30PM, a young man in a black hooded top stormed into the venue. He pushed his way to the front of the room and dropped a large box covered in gold wrapping paper at Leto’s feet.
When the singer asked him to leave the stage, the unidentified male said “It’s time for a little self-help” and is then said to have allegedly muttered something about having explosives. Upon hearing this, Leto wrestled with the man and dragged him out of the room.
“[It was] weird,” said one eyewitness. “Everyone in the room watched him walk toward Jared. Jared said ‘Someone stop him’ three or four times, but no one did. The guy got to Jared, dropped the box on the floor and started to give a speech. Jared grabbed him by the shoulders and basically [dragged] him out the back door."
The alleged bomber was restrained by the band’s security guards until the police and bomb disposal experts arrived.
“I just finished with the police,” Leto wrote on his Twitter at 11PM last night. “They cleared five blocks and brought in the bomb squad and [sniffer] dogs.”
http://www2.kerrang.com/2010/02/jared_leto_saves_fans_from_all.htmlBomb Scare at the HiveI've worked in the entertainment business in a variety of capacities (radio on-air personality; music director; social media/promotion manager for a musician/actor), so I've seen a few things. I've been stalked, threatened, freaked out, had to call in extra security for my client... but this is my first bomb scare.
Tonight a bunch of friends and I were at the Hive, 30 Seconds to Mars' marketing and promotion headquarters in Los Angeles (located on Melrose Ave). The band was going to show a preview of their documentary Artifact, which is about the making of their latest album This Is War. There was a huge turnout and as there could only be about 100 people in the Hive at a time, they decided to do 2 showings. My friends and I decided to wait for the 2nd showing and moved back in the line. The first group went in and we were then much closer to the door, just hanging out and talking.
I first noticed something odd was going on when a car started honking repeatedly on the street. A car had stopped, double parked, right in front of the Hive and the car behind that one was honking like mad. The guy who had double parked got out of his car, put a big box that appeared to be wrapped like a gift on top of his roof for a moment. I still really wasn't thinking much, but then he threw a bunch of money in the air and stormed up to the closed door of the Hive. *blinks* A bunch of people in the line ran into the street to grab the money (I was not one of them, but I was close enough to the people to see that yes, it was REAL money, $20 bills - probably at least $200), and while that was happening, people by the door told him he couldn't go in. He pounded on the door and then went in anyway.
If you haven't seen the video that someone took, I'm sure you can find the link yourself. What happened was this: the guy pushed through the chairs, got right in front of Jared and threw the box at his feet. He then started to yell at Jared. Jared took hold of the guy and pulled him into the back of the Hive; Tomo helped. Someone picked up the box and took it in the back, too. They put the guy out the back door and called the police. They kept people calm and managed to show the group the 20-minute preview, but eventually the police did show up.
Those of us still on the street watched as Jon and Bryan (employees of the band) explained what had happened to the police, and then about 10 minutes later, we were told by the officers that we'd all have to go at least 4 blocks away while the bomb squad was called in. We all went down to Starbucks - LOL! - and stayed there until they had to close, then we went back down the street.
TMZ showed up - I did talk to them. I have no idea if I'll end up on camera anywhere, and as much as I detest paparazzi and gossip - I would rather have the truth be told than nonsense or anything else. Although to be completely honest - I didn't KNOW the guy was from TMZ until after he was done filming. Blech.
Finally they let everyone go back, and we walked down to the Hive again (all our cars were near there anyway!). A few minutes later, Jared opened the door and talked to us for a few minutes. He apologized for what happened - like it was his fault?! - and said that the guy was a disturbed individual who wanted to talk to him for SOME reason, and that he hoped the man would now be getting the help he needs. He thanked us for waiting and said they would do another showing tomorrow (Friday) night, and he hoped we'd come back if we could. Then he said goodnight, they locked up the Hive and we headed out.
Some questions that I've seen asked:
Was this just a publicity stunt?
Valid question, but as someone who saw this man and the beginning of what went down... no. Absolutely, positively no way.
Why didn't anyone stop him before he got that close to Jared and Tomo?
It just happened too quickly. Those of us outside didn't realize something TRULY weird was going on until the money went flying and he charged the door. Then, what people on the inside told me is that at first, they DID think this was part of the presentation or something. It wasn't until the guy started yelling that people realized it was NOT some sort of stunt.
Why doesn't the Hive have better security?
Honestly? Because it's never been necessary. The Hive is in a storefront that's open to the public so that people can... come in. Learn about the band, have fun, do promo. Now, the band isn't actually AT the Hive very often, but even at other events where they have been there, things have been fine, everything has gone smoothly and there haven't been issues like this. Will things change because of this incident? I don't know yet, and I doubt anyone else does, either.
What was in the box?
Now that I don't know! Although supposedly people are reporting that it was a blender and candy. *shakes head* All I know is that it was NOT a bomb. The dogs and officers cleared that much up.
Obviously, the important thing is that no one was hurt. I will be going back tomorrow night, because I want to see what I missed! And I sincerely hope that tomorrow's event will be less... eventful. I think I've had my fill of scary!excitement for quite some time, thanks...
http://hermorrine.livejournal.com/443178.html
