The big news concerning the Knowles family this weekend was the confirmation of the imminent arrival of Baby Knowles-Carter at the VMAs last weekend. But Beyonce's little sister, Solange, was apparently in town this weekend and claims a cop intimidated her by pulling a weapon on her for no reason. Updated.
The younger Knowles, who's spent the past few years under the mainstream radar by collaborating with indie artists like Of Montreal, The Dirty Projectors and Chromeo, took to her Twitter yesterday to let her fans know of the alleged incident:
Sources in the Miami Police Department say it wasn't one of their officers, despite Knowles naming MPD in her Tweets. The department sent out a statement clarifying the matter:
- I have literally had my last leg with discriminating police! Miami police department will be notified.
- A police officer just pulled a weapon on me.... I have done NOTHING illegal, against the law, or anything of the sort.
- I am simply tired of police using arrogance, ego and authority as an offense.
- I'm only tweeting this to raise awareness. I could have left quietly, but I am sick & tired of this scenario being played over & over again.
- It is time to do something about it. I am a mother raising a young black child in America. Im going to die trying!
- Been on the phone for the last 20 minutes reporting this incident. Yes, I have the officers name. Yes, I have the location.
Over the weekend, the lion's share of the mainstream and entertainment media reported that the Miami Police Department had a confrontation with Solange Knowles, the sister of Beyonce Knowles of record and movie fame. We have investigated and found that this incident DID NOT occur in our city. We have determined that Ms. Knowles was not in our city at the time of the alleged incident. That city has informed us that they are looking into the incident. This incident DID NOT involve the Miami Police Department in any way, shape, or form. Please report it without the use of our name.
The incident, in fact, occurred on Miami Beach.
According to E! News, "a Miami Beach Police Department spokesman said his office is considering launching an internal affairs probe over the fracas."
"The whole entire incident was about the fact that she was not allowed in a club. When she became abusive, she was pulled to the side. There was no mention of a gun. Considering it might be an internal investigation I can't tell you much other than that," Detective Juan Sanchez told the gossip news site.
Update: A press release from the Miami Beach Police Department says that the incident occurred outside the Cameo nightclub at 1445 Washington Avenue in South Beach. Knowles had shown up with a five-foot, inflatable banana and was not let in the club. She was under the impression that the reason for not being let in was racially motivated and began causing a scene.
An officer then took Knowles across the street and may have threatened to deflate the banana. MBPD is not confirming whether or not a weapon was pulled, but clarifies that Knowles is not claiming the weapon was a gun.
This isn't the first time the Miami Beach Police Department has run into problems with an R&B singer. In 2007 an officer arrested Kelis for disorderly conduct. All charges were eventually dropped, and Kelis sued claiming that her civil rights had been violated.
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