P Diddy Settles In Nightclub Shootout Suit

Dec. 27, 1999, in the dust-covered days when P Diddy was still known as Puff Daddy and dated J Lo, the rapper was caught in a shootout at since-shuttered-nightspot Club New York. More than a decade later, he has settled out of court for over $1 million.

The shooting took place around Christmas time. Diddy was out with Jennifer Lopez to celebrate his former protégé Jamal 'Shyne' Barrow's new record deal.  When clubber Matthew 'Scar' Allen got into it with Barrow, he pulled a gun and began to fire. Three people were hit and Diddy and J Lo left in their car, only to be pulled over and taken to the precinct.

Of that night, Diddy told the New York Times:

He says he was trying to do right by Ms. Lopez the night they were arrested. She was chained to a bench at the precinct, weeping hysterically. He says he begged the police to let her go. ''My only concern was just getting Jennifer out of there.''

He felt, at the time, that people believed he was involved because of his image:

If he could do it all over again, he'd shed the bad-boy stuff. He's spent too much time and effort strutting his wealth, his power, his Puffy style. The gangster act is just an act. He's not the kind of guy who waves guns in nightclubs.

Barrow was jailed for nine years. Diddy, whose legal team included Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. and Benjamin Brafman, was cleared  in the criminal case, but both he and Barrow, as well as the club's owners, were targeted in a $130 million battle for compensation in 2008.  While Barrow's and the club's shares were picked up by insurance companies, Diddy quietly paid out of pocket.

Natania Reuben, who was shot in the nose and suffered seizures because of seven bullet fragments still lodged in her face, received $1.8 million in a civil suit, reports the New York Post.  Two other victims were also paid $500,000 and $50,000 for their injuries.

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