Two members of rapper Nardo Wick’s entourage. Which included a 15-year-old, who turned themselves in to police after a fan was beaten for asking for a photo with the Florida rapper.
Nardo Wick’s bodyguards sent a fan to the hospital with a concussion and brain bleeding after he asked for a picture 👀
pic.twitter.com/uFD62HPUAb— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) November 28, 2023
Fan Assaulted for Seeking Photo: A Wake-Up Call for Concert Safety
The two individuals, Zachary Benton, 34, and Edward Hamlett, 15, surrendered to Tampa Police1. They were each charged with felony battery and Hamlett also received an additional charge for having possession of a gun as a minor.
— WICKMAN (@NardoWick) November 28, 2023
The fan, George Obregon, 20, was left in critical condition with a brain bleed and a concussion.
He allegedly walked up to Walls in hopes of meeting his “favorite artist” He was blindsided and Benton hit him first before Hamlett went over and continued to wail on him until he fell unconscious.
The suspects reportedly did not have a close relationship with Wick, whose legal name is Horace Bernard Walls III.
Obregon’s mother, Michelle Obregon, expressed her distress and anger over the incident. Stating that her son was not aggressive and only wanted a picture with his favorite artist.
Obregon’s father, George Obregon Sr., accused the rapper of not cooperating with police. Nardo Wick, however, took to Instagram to say he had nothing to do with the assault on Obregon and offered help to the family.
🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Acclaimed rapper Nardo Wick has released an apology to his fan that was assaulted by security after asking for a photo. pic.twitter.com/GMBN6Mafr1
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) November 29, 2023
The incident occurred after a concert in Tampa, Florida. when George Obregon Jr., a fan of Nardo Wick, approached the rapper and his entourage in hopes of getting a photo with his “favorite artist”.
Obregon, who had VIP tickets for the concert, was blindsided and knocked unconscious by one member of Wick’s entourage.
As Obregon was frozen and leaned against a wall, a second man delivered at least three more punches as the defenseless fan fell and his head bounced off the ground.
According to Obregon’s friend and witness Connor Villa, “George is just walking toward Nardo with his phone up, then the guys that were around him, they didn’t hit him at first. They just kind of looked at him. He’s like, ‘Hey, can I get a picture?’ Then out of nowhere, the guy hit him from the side”.
As for the motive behind the assault, it appears that there was no provocation from Obregon. His mother, Michelle Obregon, stated “At no point was my son aggressive, at no f—in’ point did he show any sign of harm! My son wanted a stupid f—in’ picture with his favorite artist!”. Therefore, the motive behind the assault remains unclear.
The authorities have not released specific information about the criminal records or backgrounds of the two men charged, Zachary Benton and Edward Hamlet
Nardo Wick apologizes to the fan who got brutally attacked by his crew after trying to get a picture with him, and wants to make it up to them pic.twitter.com/dMy11Tu8zN
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) November 29, 2023
Nardo Wick has made a statement regarding the incident. He expressed regret over the assault and stated that he tried to intervene and stop the attack. He also reached out to the victim’s family and publicly condemned the incident.
Legal actions and potential penalties:
The two men, Zachary Benton and Edward Hamlett, have been charged with felony battery. In addition, Hamlett has been charged with being a minor in possession of a firearm while wearing a mask.
The Tampa Police Department is actively seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the assailants. The two suspects turned themselves into the police.
The incident has led to a significant backlash against Nardo Wick on social media platforms. The victim’s mother has also expressed her outrage on social media.
🚨WTF! Former gang member/“rapper” Nardo Wick’s bodyguards send fan to the hospital with a concussion and severe brain bleeding just for asking for a picture ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/ShpoTvt0C3
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) November 28, 2023
The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and security measures at concerts.
Specific precautionary or increased security measures for future events involving Nardo Wick or similar artists have not been mentioned in the available information.
In the wake of this incident, concert organizers, artists, and fans alike must come together to create a safer and more respectful environment at concerts and public events.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the music industry to prioritize the safety and well-being of fans.
