Fan says Cardi B security guards assaulted him
NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - A fan of Cardi B claims he was assaulted by members of the rapper's security detail after he asked for an autograph. And now the NYPD is investigating.
The incident happened early Tuesday morning outside The Mark hotel on East 77th street as Cardi B and her fiancé Offset left a Met Gala after party.
The fan, Giovanni Arnold, 32, of the Bronx, is seen on cell phone video being punched and kicked by what appear to be members of the rappers' entourage. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital where he was treated and released.
NYPD Chief is Detectives Dermot Shea said detectives are looking to question the men seen in the video.
"What you see is essentially somebody punch, the individual goes down and then there's a flurry of either punch – additional punches or kick to that individual," Shea said.
The assault reportedly began with a verbal altercation between Arnold and Offset. On one video Offset can be heard telling the fan to shut up, and then threatening him. Arnold responds taunting the rapper "Please, beat me up."
"Just because you're a celebrity it doesn't give you the right to put your hands on someone no matter what you say," said Daniel Szalkiewicz, an attorney for Arnold, who said Arnold suffered bruises and swelling on his head.
NYPD detectives were back at the Mark Hotel investigating Tuesday night.