Vibe Stabbing Suspect Turns Self In

A rap artist suspected of stabbing a man at this week’s Vibe awards ceremony surrendered to Santa Monica police detectives Friday.

David Darnell Brown, 23, who records under the name Young Buck, faces assault and attempted murder charges in connection with the stabbing of Jimmy James Johnson, 26.

Authorities believe Brown stabbed Johnson during a melee that broke out just before rap star and record producer Dr. Dre was to receive a lifetime achievement award at Monday’s ceremony honoring hip-hop music.

After his arrest, Brown posted a $500,000 bail bond and was released.

Police said Johnson, a parolee from Los Angeles, made his way to the front-row table of Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, and punched him in the face after requesting an autograph. The attack touched off a chair-throwing brawl that spread through the crowd. During the fracas, Brown allegedly stabbed Young’s assailant and fled from the Santa Monica Airport hangar where the ceremony was being held.

Brown, of Nashville, Tenn., was part of G Unit, a rap collective that has been among the hottest names in pop music. In August, he released his own album, “Straight Outta Ca$hville,” whose producers include Young.

After police obtained an arrest warrant for Brown, the rap artist’s attorneys notified detectives that he would turn himself in. Brown is tentatively scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 20, said Santa Monica Police Lt. Frank Fabrega.

Young was not seriously injured and received his award when the show resumed, authorities said. Johnson suffered a serious knife wound to the chest and was recovering in a hospital, according to police.

Times staff writers Randy Lewis and Zeke Minaya contributed to this report.