TLDR: Offset was hospitalized after a shooting in Florida, while Lil Tjay was arrested on a separate charge and his lawyer denied involvement in the Offset shooting.
The hip-hop world woke up Tuesday to a swirl of rumours, police statements, and social media speculation after Offset was shot outside a South Florida casino, while Lil Tjay was arrested in connection to the incident.
According to KTLA, Offset was shot Monday night in a valet area outside Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. Police said the rapper suffered “non-life-threatening injuries” and was taken to a nearby hospital, where a spokesperson confirmed he was “stable and being closely monitored.”
Authorities detained two individuals at the scene, including Lil Tjay, whose real name is Tione Jayden Merritt. Police later charged Tjay with disorderly conduct, specifically affray, a first-degree misdemeanour. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not publicly identified a shooter or confirmed a motive.
Records reviewed by NBC Miami noted that “a fight broke out Monday night in the valet area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, and rapper Offset was shot,” with Tjay among those detained. The second individual detained has not been charged.
Online speculation quickly escalated, including unconfirmed claims that Offset may have been shot in the butt. Authorities have not confirmed the location of the injury, and officials have only described the injuries as non-life-threatening.
Meanwhile, Lil Tjay’s attorney forcefully denied rumours linking the Bronx rapper to the shooting. In a statement reported by USA TODAY, attorney Dawn M. Florio said Tjay “has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting,” adding that “any reporting to the contrary is false.”
Police confirmed Merritt was arrested “in connection with the incident” that began with a fight, but emphasized that the investigation is still unfolding and additional individuals may be involved.
The incident arrives against a complicated backdrop for Offset, whose career has been marked by both chart-topping success and personal tragedy, including the 2022 death of his Migos bandmate Takeoff. As of Tuesday, Offset remained hospitalized but stable, while Lil Tjay’s legal team continued pushing back against allegations that have spread rapidly online.
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