Lovers & Friends festival on Las Vegas Strip paused after crowd panics

The Lovers & Friends music festival on the Strip was temporarily paused Saturday night following a panic in the crowd, believed to be caused by a false report of gunfire.

The festival initially posted a digital sign shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday that read, “Attention: We have a security incident at the festival. Authorities are investigating.”

Shortly after it was announced that it was safe and that the festival would resume. Vendors reportedly had been sent home before the announcement, and most attendees has exited the venue, the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, 311 W. Sahara Ave.

“The show has resumed at the @lvrsnfrndsfest after a report of gunfire heard near the festival was deemed unfounded,” the Metropolitan Police Department tweeted at 11:20 p.m. “At this time, there is no evidence of a shooting.”

Metro said in an email at 11:43 p.m. that three people were hospitalized with minor injuries.

The festival was scheduled to run Saturday and Sunday. More than 50 R&B and hip-hop acts — including Lauryn Hill, TLC, Ciara, Usher, Ne-Yo, Akon, Ludacris and Nelly — were to perform.

Review-Journal staff writers Jason Bracelin and David Wilson contributed to this report.