SEATTLE (AP) – King County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a concertgoer’s charge that he was severely beaten onstage during a performance by Snoop Dogg at the White River Amphitheatre.

Richard Monroe, 24, said performers had encouraged him to climb on the stage at Saturday’s concert at the amphitheater, which also featured The Game.

Some performers and others on the stage kicked and punched him, poured alcohol on him, ripped out his diamond earrings and stole his watch, cell phone and wallet, Monroe said.

“They beat me like a slave,” he told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “It’s horrible. They just went too far.”

Monroe, who appeared on television and in newspaper photos with a swollen face, said concert security failed to help after he was attacked.

Relatives told the newspaper that Monroe suffered bruised ribs, a broken nose and a split lip, and was taken to Auburn Regional Medical Center.

Amphitheater officials issued a statement saying a fan was removed after “unexpectedly” approaching the artist, the Post-Intelligencer said.

“The safety and security of our artists and our patrons is very important to us,” said director Lance Miller in a statement. “We fully support the local authorities in their investigation of this incident.”

Meredith O’Sullivan, a publicist for Snoop Dogg, said in a statement Tuesday that anyone who climbs onstage during a performance “has to be interpreted as a security threat and an immediate risk.”

Greg Miller, a publicist for The Game’s parent label, Interscope Records, wouldn’t comment.

—

On the Net:

http://www.snoopdogg.com/

AP-ES-06-01-05 1615EDT