Gun threat in New York connected to R. Kellys: Ex-wife

R. Kellys former wife and choreographer Drea Kelly says a gun threat that caused an evacuation at a New York City screening for Lifetimes upcoming documentary series "Surviving R. Kelly" was connected to the singer.

In an interview to variety.com, Drea said: "I can't speak to what he would or would not do because I don't know what his mindset is right now. But I would say that I don't believe in happenstance, I don't believe that anything is a coincidence.

"I do believe that in some shape, form or fashion it is connected to him. Now, whether he orchestrated it or not, that I cannot say. But I just do not believe in coincidences. Of all the theatres, of all the nights, of all the premiers, it happened with us."

The evacuation took place followed by the screening, in which the seven accusers featured in the film were to speak about their experiences with the singer, who has been accused of sexual misconduct multiple times over the past 20 years.

The venue received two anonymous, threatening calls in which the caller claimed someone had a gun in the theatre; the calls were routed to local police, who suggested the evacuation.

Among the seven accusers was Drea, who has earlier claimed that Kelly beat and bound her, among other abuses, during their 10 years of marriage. The couple separated in 2005.

(With inputs from agencies.)