Lil Tjay Arrested on Misdemeanor Charge as Investigation Continues Into Offset Shooting in Florida
Rapper Lil Tjay has been arrested in connection with a shooting incident that left fellow artist Offset hospitalized outside a South Florida casino, though authorities have not charged him with any firearms-related offenses.
The incident occurred on April 6 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, where both artists were reportedly present before an altercation escalated near the valet area. According to law enforcement statements, officers responded shortly after 7 p.m. to reports of a disturbance that resulted in a shooting and subsequent injuries.
Lil Tjay, whose legal name is Tione Jayden Merritt, was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with disorderly conduct, affray, a first-degree misdemeanor under Florida law. Authorities confirmed that he was booked into Broward County Jail and subsequently released after posting bond.
Officials emphasized that, despite early speculation circulating online, Merritt has not been charged in connection with the shooting itself. Law enforcement has not publicly identified a suspect responsible for discharging the weapon, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A second individual detained at the scene has not been charged, and authorities indicated that additional persons of interest may still be under review as investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events.
In the hours following the incident, conflicting reports spread across social media, with some claims incorrectly asserting that Lil Tjay had either been shot or directly involved in the shooting. These reports were later refuted.
Merritt’s attorney issued a statement denying those allegations and urging the public to rely on verified information. The statement clarified that the rapper was neither injured nor charged with any violent offense related to the incident.
Rapper Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, sustained what authorities described as non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. A representative for the rapper confirmed that he remains in stable condition and is under medical supervision.
As of now, Offset has not publicly addressed the incident. However, messages of support from fans and fellow artists have circulated widely online in the aftermath.
The shooting comes more than three years after the death of Takeoff, Offset’s cousin and fellow member of the rap group Migos, who was killed in a 2022 shooting in Houston. That earlier tragedy continues to shape the public context surrounding incidents involving members of the group.
Law enforcement officials have provided limited details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting. While some reports have pointed to a possible dispute between individuals at the casino, authorities have not confirmed a motive or the nature of any altercation.
Investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine what occurred and whether further charges are warranted. The presence of multiple individuals at the scene, combined with the public setting, may complicate efforts to establish a clear timeline.
