98.1 / "KISS FM" radio DJ's thought it would be an excellent April Fool's Day prank to broadcast a fake concert announcement saying that rapper "Eminem" would be appearing for a free concert on the lot of the Brainerd Rd. 'Big Lots.' The DJs are now in jail.
They were charged with disorderly conduct for creating a public nuisance that required 13 police cars to be pulled from emergency calls across the city to help break up the gridlock created on and around the business.
The police were also needed to protect the DJs from their hundreds of enraged listeners, who at one point surrounded the patrol car they were in and beat on the windows trying to get at them, police said.
Many had left work, and kids even left school early to see the advertised concert, according to police spokesman Craig Joel.
Police officials learned of the prank early in the day and the CPD Special Operations commander contacted the station at 9:30 this morning ordering them to stop, but they apparently refused to do so, Officer Joel said.
This was taken into consideration when the DJs, 30-year-old Shannon Brimmer (known on-air as "Troy Shannon") and 20-year-old Thompson Riddle (known on-air as "Riggs") were taken to jail, Officer Joel stated.
Thompson Riddle, known on-air as "Riggs."