Did Lil Tjay Shoot Offset Over ‘Owed Money’? Lawyer Says, “Was Not Involved”

Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was shot near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on April 6, 2026 (ET). The rapper is currently in stable condition after being rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Amidst the incident, unverified rumors emerged online claiming that rapper Lil Tjay, real name Tione Jayden Merritt, was either involved in the shooting or also injured.

Lil Tjay’s lawyer, Dawn Florio, dismissed these claims on April 7, 2026 (ET), stating:

“We are issuing this release in regards to false rumours that Lil Tjay was involved in a shooting which occurred at the Valet Area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, which resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to Offset, formerly a member of Migos. 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 rumours.”

The rumors reportedly began after videos of the shooting’s aftermath circulated online. Influencers like DJ Akademiks and reports from HotNewHipHop fueled speculation, while some social media posts suggested a financial dispute may have been involved. One claim suggested Offset owed Lil Tjay USD 10,000, which sparked online narratives that the shooting was related to this alleged debt.

Lil Tjay previously stated that his issues with Offset arose over unpaid loans, suggesting that Offset had a gambling addiction and had avoided repaying him. Social media posts highlighted claims, including:

“Why did I diss Offset? Offset broke. I’ll tell y’all a true story, I saw the nia in the casino. He was popped and panicking… Word to my mother, this nia’s ducked me for so long, boy.”

Despite the rumors, law enforcement confirmed that Offset’s injuries were non-life-threatening, and no charges have been filed against Lil Tjay in connection with the shooting. The Seminole Police Department continues to investigate the incident.

The case highlights the speed at which social media can spread unverified claims, leading to public confusion over high-profile celebrity incidents.