Wow! Just moments before the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were scheduled to begin, word started to go around that Chris Brown and Rihanna would not be attending the awards show. First, I heard that Chris Brown was involved in a “car accident”, then I heard that Rihanna mysteriously and suddenly decided to pull out of performing during the show … then the news got much worse. I was not able to follow the information as soon as it was posted online but while David and I were enjoying the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center, information began to trickle in on our cellphones that Chris Brown was being investigated on charges of felonious assault against a woman — after the woman alleging the assault decided to press charges with the police. We learned that the woman, who still remains officially unnamed by the LAPD, “suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker.” As the night carried on, we learned that Chris turned himself into police and was booked, charged and released on $50,000 bond … as I post this latest information, the LA Times is citing “inside” sources close to the case that name Rihanna, Chris‘s longtime girlfriend, as the alleged victim of the assault:

Posted by the LA Times at 7:25PM PT: Brown arrived at the Wilshire Division police station before 7:15 p.m., accompanied by his attorney Mark Geragos and Geragos’ investigator, Scott Ross. The pair drove into a parking lot behind the police station on Venice Boulevard just east of La Brea Avenue in a black Cadillac Escalade. They entered through a back door where a posted sign read “authorized personnel only.” Police are expected to release a statement later this evening Both Brown and Rihanna canceled their performances at tonight’s Grammy Awards. The alleged incident was reported about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Hancock Park. Brown and Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, were apparently in a car together and got into an argument on North June Street, according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement. Brown stopped the car, the two got out, and the argument escalated, according to police. A witness called 911, but Brown was gone when officers arrived at the scene. The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker, according to police. Brown and Rihanna had appeared together Saturday night at Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills.

Shortly before the Grammy show began at 5 p.m. at Staples Center, Grammy officials issued a statement saying, “We have just been informed Rihanna will not be attending tonight’s 51st Grammy Awards. Rihanna will not be performing. We are sorry to see she is unable to join us this evening.” A publicist for the Barbados-born star, who sold more digital song downloads than any other in 2008 with nearly 10 million tracks, said Sunday night, “Rihanna is well. Thank you for your concern and support.” Her song “Disturbia,” which she’d been scheduled to perform at the ceremony, was the sixth best-selling digital track of the year. She was replaced by veteran soul singer Al Green, who was accompanied by country singer-guitarist Keith Urban. Brown’s record label spokesman did not respond to The Times’ request for comment. His whereabouts were unknown as the Grammy show began.

Posted by the LA Times at 9:21PM PT: R&B singer Chris Brown has been booked tonight on suspicion of making felony criminal threats in connection with an incident involving his girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna, according to Los Angeles Police Department sources familiar with the case. Brown was booked at the Wilshire Division station and posted $50,000 bail, sources said. He left the station before 9 p.m. Los Angeles police said earlier they planned to detain Brown for questioning on an alleged domestic violence assault. In an updated statement tonight, police said, additional charges may be filed against Brown when the case is presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Brown listed his residence as Washington, Va.

Because the information, muddled with rumor and conjecture, came out in pieces thruout the night, it’s not entirely sure what exactly the felony crime or crimes include. Again, as I mentioned above, early reports claimed that an assault took place which left visible injuries on the victim’s face. If the LA Times is correct, it is very easy to conclude that Rihanna is the alleged victim and was allegedly assaulted in some capacity by Chris Brown in their car shortly after the pair left last night’s Grammy Awards Salute to Icons event that honored Clive Davis (the last time the couple were seen together publicly before this incident occurred). After the jump, check out Chris Brown‘s booking sheet which offers all the official information that has been made available thus far …

It is very easy to jump to conclusions based on the information provided thus far. I admit, it really does seem to appear that Chris Brown and Rihanna were involved in some sort of altercation (be it physical or merely verbal) very early this morning to the point of seriousness where Brown had to be arrested for a felony. I’m sure more information will be made available later on today … depending on the severity of the incident and victim’s (whoever she may be) desire to cooperate with authorities to pursue punishing this alleged crime … things could get even uglier still. I really hope my worst fears are not proven true. At this point, we don’t know anything for sure … I’m holding off judgment until more information is made available. I gotta say, tho … I’ve got a really bad, very sad feeling about this. Based on all the info that is swirling around at this point, what do y’all think?

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source, Source]