Phish reacts to fatal stabbing outside Virginia concert

Phish spoke out about a fatal stabbing that occurred outside the band’s concert at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia on Friday night.

“During last night’s show, a tragic incident took place in the parking lot outside Hampton Coliseum,” the group wrote in an Instagram statement Saturday. “There was an altercation behind one of the tents in the unofficial vending area in which someone lost their life and two other people were injured.”

“We don’t have more information than what has been reported by the police, who called it an isolated incident, but what we do know is upsetting enough,” Phish continued.

“We are deeply saddened by this and our hearts go out to all of those affected,” the band’s statement concluded.

Corporal Shaun Stalnaker of the Hampton Police Division confirmed in a press release that officers responded to a report of a stabbing outside the concert venue at 9:30 p.m. local time.

An argument between several individuals “escalated into a physical altercation,” in which on victim “sustained a life-threatening injury,” while two other victims “sustained non-life-threatening injuries.”

“The first victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries,” Cpl. Stalnaker wrote. “The second victim was also transported and is currently receiving medical treatment. A third adult male victim later arrived at a local hospital as a walk-in, also suffering from a laceration determined to be non-life-threatening.”

The suspect fled on foot but was later detained by officers, Cpl. Stalnaker confirmed.

The stabbing is still under investigation, but police have labeled it an “isolated incident.”

Phish had three shows at Hampton Coliseum over the weekend. The concerts on Saturday and Sunday went on as planned, despite the stabbing incident on Friday, but with “an increased police presence,” according to local CBS affiliate WTKR.

The band, which formed in Burlington, Vermont in 1983, features lead vocalist and guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, drummer Jon Fishman and keyboardist Page McConnell.

The group just wrapped their summer tour which included a recent headlining gig at the Bourbon & Beyond Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

Later this year, Phish is playing four nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City from Dec. 28 to Dec. 31, followed by another four-night run at Moon Palace Cancun in Mexico in early 2026.