According to the Santa Monica Police Department, Brown was one of three people seen holding knives in the melee that ensued after a man--later identified as Los Angeles resident Jimmy James Johnson, 26--approached rapper Dr. Dre during the event and punched him several times. Dre, who was sitting near the stage, was attacked as composer Quincy Jones [ tickets ] and rapper Snoop Dogg [ tickets ] were preparing to present him with the Vibe Legend Award, which honors his lifelong contributions to hip-hop.

"Brown is seen [in video footage] with a knife in hand and attempting to reach Johnson," Lt. Frank Fabrega said in a press statement. "At one point, Brown is seen lunging over another male and swinging the knife at Johnson's upper body while Johnson is looking away from him. Brown is clearly depicted as holding the knife after the assault and is one of a number of fight participants who is pepper sprayed by officers attempting to stop the unlawful assaults."

Police and the venue's security team subdued Johnson soon after his alleged attack on Dre, but as they attempted to move him toward the stage, several people tried to jump him. Two uniformed Santa Monica Police Officers "became victims of assaults when unidentified males threw chairs at them," according to Fabrega.

Johnson reportedly suffered a serious stab wound to his upper body during the melee, police said. He was transferred to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition.

Brown, who wasn't identified by police until Tuesday (11/16) morning, fled the airport hangar that hosted the awards ceremony following the incident. He's been asked to surrender to Santa Monica police. Police are also sorting through video footage to identify other suspects.

The ceremony resumed a short time after the incident, at which time the award was presented to Dre without further incident.

UPN aired the Vibe Music Awards on Tuesday night; the fracas was edited from the tape.

Young Buck and G-Unit are signed to Dre's record label, and G-Unit won the Vibe Music Award for Best Group. The complete list of winners follows.

Artist of the Year
Alicia Keys

Best Group
G-Unit

Sexiest Video Vixen
Ki Toy ("The Way You Move," "OutKast,")

Reelest Video
"99 Problems," Jay-Z

Best Comeback
Twista

Hottest Hook
"Lean Back," Terror Squad

Street Anthem
"Rubberband Man," T.I.

Power Broker of the Year
Steve Stoute

Coolest Collabo
"Why (Remix)," Jadakiss, f/ Hamilton, Styles P., Common & Nas

Next Award
Anthony Hamilton

R&B Voice of the Year
Usher

Best R&B Song
"If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys

Club Banger of the Year
"Lean Back," Terror Squad

Boomshot Award
"Turn Me On (Remix)," Kevin Lyttle, f/ Spragga Benz

Vibe Legend Award
Dr. Dre