UPDATED 4/7, 9:00 a.m. ET: Lil Tjay was taken into custody in Florida on Monday (April 6) over an alleged misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, according to online jail records.
Records from Broward County reveal that Tjay, whose real name is Tione Jayden Merritt, was arrested by Seminole police and booked into the county’s main jail the same day. The listed charges include disorderly conduct and a capias-traffic offense tied to driving without a valid license.
A report from TMZ claims Seminole police said Tjay had been “involved in a fight” with unidentified individuals prior to the shooting that left Offset injured at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. However, Tjay’s lawyer has pushed back, stating he’s been caught up in “false rumors” linking him to the incident.
“Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting,” attorney Dawn M. Florio said Monday night. “Any reporting to the contrary is false.”
Lil Tjay was not connected to the shooting that left Offset injured near a Florida casino.
According to his attorney, Dawn Florio, the 24-year-old rapper had no involvement whatsoever in the incident that led to the former Migos member being hospitalized on Monday. She also clarified that, despite circulating rumors online, Tjay has not been charged in relation to the shooting.
“We are issuing this release in regards to false rumors that Lil Tjay was involved in a shooting which occurred at the Valet Area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood which resulting in non-life threatening injuries to Offset, formerly a member of Migos,” she shared in a statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday.
It continues: “Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false. We encourage people to consult trusted news sources, and to verify the accuracy of any reporting, before reflexively sharing or repeating baseless rumors.”
Footage believed to show the aftermath of a shooting allegedly tied to Lil Tjay quickly made its way online shortly after news broke that Offset had been shot on Monday (April 6) near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
On Monday, TMZ reported that Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was rushed to the hospital after the incident near a casino. The report also noted that the former Migos star had been seen interacting with fans, smiling and taking photos, just before the shooting occurred. He is said to be in stable condition.
According to reports, the Seminole Police Department confirmed that an injured person was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
