Police allege Offset rival Lil Tjay instigated fight leading to Migos rapper's shooting at Florida casino

1 week ago 14

By BRIAN MARKS, US ASSISTANT SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 02:09 BST, 8 April 2026 | Updated: 02:10 BST, 8 April 2026

Police are alleging that the rapper Lil Tjay set in motion a fight that led to the shooting of Migos member Offset.

According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by the Daily Mail, police claim that Lil Tjay (real name: Tione Merritt) 'directed members of his party to start a fight with another group of males' around 7:22 p.m. on Monday night.

Police allege that one of the men in Lil Tjay's group pulled out a gun and shot Offset in the valet area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Offset, Lil Tjay, the Seminole Police Department and the Broward County Sheriff's Department for comment.

Lil Tjay's attorney, Dawn Florio, previously denied the 'false rumors that Lil Tjay was involved in a shooting' in a statement on Tuesday.

'Lil Tjay has not been shot,' she said, referencing rumors that had spread online shortly after Offset was reported to have been shot, 'nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false,' she said.

Police alleged in a probable cause affidavit that the shooting of Migos member Offset (pictured in November 2024 in LA) happened after his rival rapper Lil Tjay instigated a fight on Monday night

Police allege that after the fight broke out in the valet area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, a member of Lil Tjay's entourage pulled out a gun and shot Offset; Lil Tjay is pictured in his mugshot from the Broward County Sheriff's Office

TMZ first reported on the contents of the probable cause affidavit. 

In a statement to the Daily Mail, the Seminole Police Department said Lil Tjay had been arrested on a disorderly conduct — affray charge, which is a first-degree misdemeanor, and booked at the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

'A second person detained at the scene has not been charged,' police said, noting that 'The investigation to identify one or more additional persons involved in the incident is ongoing.'

Referring to Offset, police added that 'The injured individual remains at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., with a non-life-threatening injury.'

After he was bailed out on Tuesday, Lil Tjay denied being involved in the alleged fight.

'I didn't do no damn fighting,' he said, while also calling Offset a 'rat n****' to a group of reporters before getting into an SUV, according to NBC 6 Miami.

According to the probable cause affidavit, police claimed that Lil Tjay fought with Offset's associates after he had been shot.

'Sworn statements were taken from the victims who stated that they were caring for their wounded friend [Offset], when the defendant [Lil Tjay] approached them in an aggressive manner with fists clenched and taking swings at them,' it said.

Lil Tjay was arrested Monday night by the Seminole Police Department and booked at the Broward County Sheriff's Office on a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct — affray; pictured in 2022 in Culver City, Calif.

After he was bailed out on Tuesday, Lil Tjay denied being involved in the alleged fight. 'I didn't do no damn fighting,' he said, while also calling Offset a 'rat n****' to a group of reporters before getting into an SUV, according to NBC 6 Miami; Offset is seen in 2024 in Atlanta

Police alleged that Lil Tjay continued fighting with Offset's entourage even after he was shot, and the fighting only stopped once police arrived. They also claim video footage shows Lil Tjay filming the fight on his cell phone; Lil Tjay pictured in 2022 in LA

It was only when police arrived that the fight allegedly stopped, the report said. 

'Due to the actions of the defendant's involvement in a fight in a public place, the defendant caused terror among the public that caused injury to another person and placed other patrons in imminent danger,' the document said.

Police also claimed that Lil Tjay was seen on camera filming the confrontation on his cell phone before Offset was shot.

A spokesperson for Offset previously confirmed that he had been shot in the altercation.

'We can confirm he was shot and is currently at the hospital receiving medical care,' they told the Daily Mail, adding, 'He is stable and being closely monitored.'

Offset — whose estranged wife Cardi B filed for divorce in 2024 after six years of marriage — was subsequently seen outside the hospital in a wheelchair as he took a smoke break on Tuesday morning.

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