During the awards show, everything seemed to be going smoothly until Quincy Jones took the stage to introduce Dre during the tribute. Jones went off-script, giving the man, Jimmy James Johnson, an opportunity to attack Dre and for Buck to retaliate. The atmosphere in the room quickly escalated into chaos as a brawl erupted. Young Buck even grabbed a knife from his table and stabbed Johnson. Meanwhile, Suge Knight found the situation amusing and laughed at the unfolding events, prompting questions about his involvement.
Despite the mayhem, the live feed of the show couldn’t be cut, which led to the director capturing unexpected reactions from the audience. The incident ended up making national news as well as being featured on the 11 O’Clock news that night. Reports from that time revealed that Johnson had approached Dre for an autograph but was denied. In response, Johnson punched Dre in the head and tried to make a quick exit, sparking the fight that ensued. Police officers tried to break up the altercation, but Buck managed to stab Johnson in the chest.
Following the incident, the Santa Monica Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Buck after video evidence implicated him in the brawl. Despite initial court proceedings indicating enough evidence for a jury trial, Buck managed to avoid further legal consequences by reaching a deal outside of court. The aftermath of the Vibe Awards stabbing left lasting repercussions for those involved, underscoring the unexpected twists and turns that can occur during live events.