Violence erupting from a crowded mosh pit at a Corrosion of Conformity concert at Tampa's Masquerade club last night left four fans stabbed. The concert was a stop on the Stonebreakers and Hellraisers Tour featuring COC, Crowbar, Alabama Thunderpussy and Suplecs.

According to a Tampa police spokesperson, one of the victims was pronounced dead early this morning, June 24, at Tampa General Hospital from repeated stab wounds to the chest and upper body. One of the other victims, a female in her early 20s, suffers from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen and remains in critical condition. Unconfirmed reports indicate that she was the wife of the deceased victim. The two other victims were both males; one was treated at the scene and other remains in hospital care and is in stable condition.

Witnesses say that the stabbing occurred at about 11:30 p.m. shortly after a fight erupted between two females in the mosh pit. The fight apparently escalated quickly and absorbed other members of the crowd, including the assailant. The assailant waved a large knife at the concert-goers who attempted to intervene. The suspect managed to flee the scene before police arrived.

The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20s to early 30s, with a shaved head and reddish-brown goatee and moustache. He was reportedly wearing a white tank top.

Homicide detectives with the Tampa Police Department are asking witnesses and other individuals with any information about the incident to come forward. If you have any information, please contact the Tampa Police at 813-276-3200.

Corrosion of Conformity issued the following statement on their website:

We are stunned and deeply saddened by the brutal stabbings of three people at the Tampa show last night. We don't have much information at this time. Unofficially we have heard that one victim didn't make it. In twenty plus years of gigging we've never seen anything like this. It's sad that people can't come together for a good time listening to music without something tragic happening. We feel for the families of those attacked and wish success to Tampa law enforcement in their quest to solve this pointless crime. Take care of each other and go in peace.

We at Earvolution.com are also deeply saddened by last night's events. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I interviewed members of Corrosion of Conformity and Alabama Thunderpussy at their show in Towson, MD. From my vantage point backstage, I could tell that these bands truly love what they are doing and thoroughly enjoyed playing together. I hate that such a senseless act of violence may affect the spirit of this tour. Band members and fans should not have to worry about violence in music venues, but unfortunately that has become a reality.