MONTREAL - Rapper Lil Wayne narrowly missed getting gassed by pepper spray when the noxious chemical was released into a Montreal club where hundreds of people were gathered after one of his concerts.
Montreal police Const. Danny Richer confirmed today that someone got into a downtown nightclub where the performer was expected to party and let pepper spray loose in the ventilation system around 1 a.m.
Richer says Lil Wayne only arrived at the club after the incident and, when he saw the commotion on the sidewalk outside, he left.
About 300 people were in the club and had to be evacuated into the fresh air after the gas was released.
Nobody was injured in the incident. Richer says police have so far not made any arrests.
Montreal police were out in force earlier Wednesday evening for the rapper's show at the Bell Centre -- but not for his music. A large contingent were on hand at the venue as a precaution because police said Lil Wayne's music is popular with street-gang members.
Police assisted security guards in keeping the crowd orderly and assisted with searches when necessary.
Lil Wayne is scheduled to play Toronto on Friday.
The musician, whose music is also reportedly on U.S. President Barack Obama's iPod, made headlines earlier this month when he was accused of stealing his hit song "Bedrock."
Georgia-based production company Done Deal Enterprises is suing Wayne, Universal Music Group, Cash Money Records and Young Money Entertainment for copyright infringement.
Lil Wayne has been ordered to appear in court Oct. 12.
The rapper, born Dwayne Carter Jr., also has been sued by several producers over unpaid royalties.
