Lil Tjay, a popular New York City artist arrested in connection with the shooting of Offset, described the Atlanta rapper as a “rat.”
Tuesday afternoon, Lil Tjay was seen talking to reporters while leaving Broward County Jail, where he was booked on a disorderly conduct-affray charge with a $500 bond. He was also charged with a traffic violation for operating a vehicle without a valid license. That bond was $2,500.
On Wednesday morning, a representative with the public information office for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said Lil Tjay, whose real name is Tione Merritt, posted bond before 2 p.m. Tuesday.
“The last thing I seen was Offset looking at me like this, ‘Yo, that n---- shot me,” a shirtless Lil Tjay told reporters while leaving jail, claiming Offset “is a rat.” “I don’t do no damn fighting.”
When asked if he shot Offset or if Offset attacked him, Lil Tjay had more inflammatory words for the former Migos member.
“I’ll smack the s--- out of Offset. He would never play with me like that in his life.”
Lil Tjay waved off further questions with, “Ask Offset.”
Lil Tjay is one of two people arrested in connection with the shooting, which began with a fight, according to police. Seminole Police have not identified or charged the other person detained at the scene. No new information about the case was available as of Wednesday morning. No shooting charges have been filed.
“The investigation to identify one or more additional persons involved in the incident is ongoing,” Seminole Police said in an emailed statement to the AJC on Tuesday.
A representative for Offset declined to comment on Lil Tjay’s statements. However, the 34-year-old replied to The Shade Room’s Instagram post about the rapper’s threats.
“U ain’t buss nun,” Offset, who remains hospitalized as of Wednesday morning, wrote in the comments.
On Monday night, Offset was shot near the valet area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. He sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital. At the time, a spokesperson for Offset said the musician “is stable and being closely monitored.”
Dawn M. Florio, a lawyer for Lil Tjay, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. However, very early Tuesday, Florio released a statement that described Lil Tjay’s involvement in the shooting as “false rumors.”
“Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false,” she wrote in a statement on Instagram. “We encourage people to consult trusted news sources, and to verify the accuracy of any reporting, before reflexively sharing or repeating baseless rumors.”
Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images
Hailing from the Bronx, Lil Tjay is a 24-year-old artist known for his melodic drill sound. He’s collaborated with Ice Spice, Pop Smoke, 6lack and other artists. He’s slated to release a new album, titled “They Just Ain’t You,” on May 1.
Offset, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was raised in Gwinnett County and rose to fame in the 2010s as one-third of rap supergroup Migos. The 34-year-old released his debut solo album, “Father of 4,″ in 2019. In 2022, his Migos group mate Takeoff died after being shot at a Houston bowling alley. Patrick Xavier Clark, the man accused of killing Takeoff, will face trial later this year.
Offset has shared an on-again, off-again relationship with fellow rapper Cardi B, whom he wed in 2017. Cardi B filed for divorce in 2024. The pair have three children: Kulture, 7; Wave, 4; and Blossom, 1. He has three other children from previous relationships. Cardi B is slated to stop in Atlanta next week for her Little Miss Drama Tour.
Last year, Offset released two albums: “Kiari” and “Haunted by Fame.” He later toured with NBA Youngboy.
This is a developing story and the AJC will provide updates.
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