Screening Of R. Kelly Documentary Evacuated After Anonymous Shooting Threat

A screening of Lifetime’s documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” was evacuated after several anonymous threats were made.

On Tuesday night, the NeueHouse Madison Square was evacuated an hour into the screening, Buzzfeed reports. An NYPD spokesperson told news outlets that an unknown caller said if the movie continued to play that someone from inside the theater would start shooting. Lifetime released a statement saying, “As a precaution, the network chose to evacuate the building. The safety and security of our panel, guests and staff is of paramount importance to Lifetime.”

Several people including some of Kelly’s accusers were present for the film. 

#MeToo movement founder #TaranaBurke was booked to discuss the film following the screening. “What happened tonight was awful, especially for the women who had bravely shared their painful stories on camera for the purpose of putting a stop to the violence R. Kelly has committed against young girls for decades,” said Burke to Buzzfeed News.

The six-hour series includes interviews with 50 people. Those to be featured in the series are former protégé and R&B singer #Sparkle, #JohnLegend, #WendyWilliams, #TaranaBurke, and Kelly’s ex-wife, #AndreaKelly. The series premieres on January 3.