What led Killer Mike to be detained by police at the Grammys after multiple wins

After being escorted out of the 2024 Grammys, multiple law enforcement sources have revealed to NBC News how rapper Killer Mike ended up in handcuffs after winning multiple awards.

The artist — whose given name is Michael Santiago Render — was detained for questioning by the Los Angeles Police Department and escorted out of the Grammys' venue, Crypto.com Arena, on Feb. 4 following an altercation with a female security guard, the sources told NBC News on Feb. 6.

According to one of the law enforcement sources, the rapper pushed the female security guard down twice and threw an elbow as she tried to prevent him and another individual from skirting a security checkpoint.

The female security guard then made a citizen’s arrest that led to a misdemeanor charge for the musician, sources said. He was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and released at 8:37 p.m. that evening — before the awards ceremony ended.

The incident left the security guard with injuries and she was treated on scene by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, a source said.

Reps for Killer Mike did not immediately respond for request for comment.

In an earlier statement, Killer Mike thanked fans for their support, writing he's doing "better than OK" amid the incident.

“I greatly appreciate the concern and support, but I am better than OK. As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter,” the artist said.

“We experienced an over-zealous security guard but my team and I have the utmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing,” the artist continued.

The rapper's team had called the incident "overblown" in a statement to NBC News and said they are “confident that the facts of the case, when laid bare, will show that Mike did not commit the alleged offense and he will be exonerated.”

LAPD Chief Michel Moore said at Tuesday’s police commission meeting that the department was obligated to carry out the private person’s arrest under state law.

During the meeting, Police Commissioner Rasha Gerges Shields said she had concerns about the arrest of the rapper and publicly wondered aloud if Taylor Swift would have been handcuffed and booked in a similar circumstance.

Moore said that while LAPD officers carried out the detainment of the rapper, it was a private citizen’s arrest made at the direction of a security guard who said she had been the victim of a battery.

“Regardless of race, if this was Taylor Swift, I assure you that the actions of these officers are absolutely in response to the state law that requires it,” Moore said, noting he did not know the race of the security guard.

Moore said that he personally intervened and directed that Killer Mike be released from police custody even before the booking process had been fully completed.

“So every discretion, I believe at this juncture, was exercised,” he said. “And I stand by our officers’ actions on this.”

Killer Mike is due to appear in court Feb. 29, according to jail records.

News of Killer Mike being escorted out of the Grammy event came after The Hollywood Reporter's Chris Gardner shared video of the artist handcuffed.

Killer Mike was up for three Grammy Awards: best rap song and best rap performance for “Scientists & Engineers” and best rap album for “Michael,” his sixth studio album. The artist won all three categories during the pre-show event and took photos with the trophies.

During his acceptance speech, he celebrated his sweep.

"Atlanta, it's a sweep! You cannot tell me that you get too old, you can't tell me it's too late," he said in video shared on his Instagram. "You can't tell me! Dreams come true! It is a sweep."

The musician had last received a Grammy nomination in 2018 for best rap song for "Chase Me."

Hosted by comedian and former “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah for a fourth year in a row, the 2024 Grammys were broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. They were available to watch on CBS and various streaming platforms.

SZA led the list of nominees with nine nominations, with stars like Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, Victoria Monet and more also up for awards. Performers included Dua Lipa, Luke Combs and Joni Mitchell, among others.

Follow TODAY.com for complete Grammys coverage, including this year’s winners, unexpected moments, and can’t-miss performances from the biggest names in music.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com