blink-182 at Metro
blink-182 in Chicago in 2017 (more by Brigid Gallagher)

blink-182 postpone El Paso show following tragic mass shooting

This weekend, the country was shaken by the news of not one but two tragic mass shootings: one in Dayton, Ohio that left nine dead and over 16 injured and one at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas that left at least 20 dead and more than two dozen injured. The El Paso shooting is being investigated as a hate crime, after police discovered a document with white nationalist and racist views posted online that they believe was written by the suspect.

As the tragic events in El Paso were taking place, blink-182 were on a lockdown in a hotel nearby, following reports of a possible second active shooter at a different location. Bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus tweeted updates from his hotel room:

we are locked down in our hotel in el paso. over the intercom system they just announced that there are reports of another active shooter directly across the street at a location different from the first shootings.

we were leaving breakfast when our security texted that there was an active shooter at the mall we were headed to. saw dozens of police cars on the freeway and surface streets. helicopters. we got back to the hotel and turned on the news to see what was happening. then the intercom said there are reports of another shooting across the street at the bassett place mall. i don’t see or hear police or helicopters so hopefully it’s just an over abundance of caution and someone got the malls confused. so terrible.

update: police confirm report of a separate incident at bassett mall is incorrect. we are still in our hotel. federal agent at the door to the building.

Later, the band cancelled their show scheduled to happen today (Sunday, August 4) at El Paso’s UTEP Don Haskins Arena. They write, “Following today’s terrible tragedy in El Paso we are postponing our Sunday, August 4th show at the UTEP Don Haskins Arena in solidarity with the community. Please stay tuned for further updates coming soon. Sending our love to the entire community of El Paso.”

The band’s current tour is with Lil Wayne, though Wayne was not scheduled to perform at the El Paso show as he was in Chicago for Lollapalooza this weekend. The tour is scheduled to resume in Phoenix, AZ on Monday (8/5). Stay tuned for any updates.

Our thoughts go out to the victims of both shootings and their families. If you’d like to help, blood donors are needed in El Paso.