Did Lil Tjay Shoot Offset Over ‘Owed Money’? Rumours Create Frenzy, Lawyer Says, ‘Was Involved..’

Offset was shot near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on April 6, 2026 (ET). While he is reported to be in stable condition, unverified claims have been made on social media that Tione Jayden Merritt, professionally known as Lil Tjay, was also shot in the incident. While some claimed that Tjay was also shot in the altercation, others alleged that he was the one who shot Offset.

Was Lil Tjay involved in Offset’s shooting?

According to Lil Tjay’s lawyer, Dawn Florio, he had nothing to do with Offset’s shooting. She claimed that her client was not charged with anything despite online rumours. She took to her Instagram handle on April 7, 2026 (ET) and issued a statement dismissing all claims that alleged Tjay was involved in the shooting to any degree. She was quoted as saying:

“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.”

How did the rumours about Lil Tjay’s involvement in the shooting emerge?

The buzz started after a video showing the aftermath of the shooting started making rounds online. While DJ Akademiks, a YouTuber, claimed that Lil Tjay was shot, the rumour was further fueled by a report from HotNewHipHop, an online publication covering hip-hop and pop culture. DJ Akademiks also went on to explain how the shooting occurred after a fight allegedly broke out between the two. On the other hand, music artist, Ceddy Nash, alleged that “Lil Tjay allegedly shot Offset in the butt after Offset reportedly beat up Lil Tjay at the Hard Rock and then started walking off, which is when Tjay shot him.” Meanwhile, some claims even alleged that Offset owed Tjay money. One comment read:

“Akademiks says Lil Tjay told him in their upcoming interview that his issues with Offset began after he loaned him USD 10K and Offset didn’t repay it, telling him to ‘get it back in blood’.”

Does Offset really owe Lil Tjay money?

Lil Tjay and Offset’s beef over an alleged USD 10,000 began in 2025. According to a report, Lil Tjay had lashed out at Offset, claiming that the latter had a gambling addiction and that he owed him money for a loan. He claimed that the rapper hasn’t been answering his calls and has not paid him back. He was quoted as saying:

“Why did I diss Offset? Offset broke. I’ll tell y’all a true story, I saw the ni**a in the casino. He was popped and panicking. He was asking random people for cash apps; he was broke. I don’t know why, but nobody was answering his phone call. He must have a gambling addiction…I see like 13 bands in loans. I don’t know who got paid back that day, you feel me. Word to my mother, this ni**a’s ducked me for so long, boy. Mind you, I’m 23, and this is ‘raindrop, drop-top,’ Cardi B husband.”

Offset was shot on April 6, 2026 (ET)

According to TMZ, Offset, born as Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was taken to the hospital after being shot near a casino. The incident took place around 7 p.m. He is reportedly in stable condition. The Seminole Police Department revealed that Offset was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

What are your thoughts on the buzz around Offset and Lil Tjay? Let us know.

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