Tyler, The Creator Arrested For Inciting A Riot At SXSW Festival Before Fatal Crash

Tyler, The Creator was arrested Saturday for allegedly inciting a riot at the South By Southwest music festival on the same night that a drunk driver plowed through a crowd outside his venue, killing two people and injuring more than 20.

The rapper, whose real name is Tyler Gregory Okonma, was arrested at Austin-Bergstrom Airport and arraigned later in the day.

Police say that Tyler, The Creator urged fans to tear down barriers set up outside the venue where he was performing in downtown Austin during the SXSW festival. The 23-year-old Los Angeles resident is accused of inciting fans to push their way past venue employees to a show that was already at full capacity.

Police officers at the scene said that the crush of fans trying to come into the venue created a dangerous situation, and that a bartender had to protect a woman from the ensuing crush.

The incident happened on Thursday, not long after a drunk driver plowed through barriers and struck dozens of people near the venue where Tyler, The Creator was set to take the stage. The show was canceled and the rapper tweeted about the incident, saying “Show Isnt Happening, Something Sad Happened. I’m Bummed.”

Police said the driver raced to avoid a DUI checkpoint and sped the wrong way down a one-way street, striking crowds of people. He has been charged with two counts of capital murder.

If convicted of inciting a riot, rapper Tyler, The Creator faces up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

This is not the first time that Tyler, The Creator has gotten into trouble for his behavior at concerts. The rapper was denied a visa to travel to New Zealand after officials there determined him to be a “public threat” because of past incidents, including inciting violence at other performances.