Stars charged after nightclub shooting

TWO OF the music industry's biggest stars, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and Jennifer Lopez, were charged in New York yesterday with criminal possession of a weapon after a gun was allegedly found in their car after they left a nightclub where three people were shot and wounded.

Mr Combs, 30, the record producer and rap artist, allegedly fired a gun in Club NY in Manhattan, while standing next to Ms Lopez, 29, the singer and actress, at the bar.

Ten minutes after the shooting, at 2.30am, the celebrity couple were stopped in a Jeep, after being pursued by police. Their chauffeur and bodyguard, who were also in the vehicle, were not charged. A police source said the gun found in the car had been reported stolen.

A minor rap artist was arrested at the club, and charged with possessing a gun. His role in the shooting was unknown.