Troy Ave Arrested and Charged; Video Surfaces of Irving Plaza Shooter [UPDATED]
Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and illegal weapons possession and could face a murder charge, according to the New York Daily News. The arrest comes after a fatal shooting occurred at a T.I. concert in New York at Irving Plaza in Union Square.
Surveillance footage has surfaced showing what appears to be Troy Ave firing a weapon backstage. Ave., born Ronald Collins, accidentally shot himself during the chaos, according to sources. A feud between Troy and fellow Brooklyn rapper Maino is alleged to have sparked the shots, which were fired in a green room above the stage. Three people were injured and one killed.
The NYPD said Troy Ave shot himself in the leg during a struggle at the club. After the shooting, he reportedly was driven to NYU Hospital. He was then transferred to Bellevue, where he was arrested. He was taken to charged with reckless endangerment and illegal weapons possession and expected to face a murder charge pending the results of a ballstics test.
Maino had just left the stage when, according to sources, Troy Ave blasted at least five shots with a 9-mm handgun in a green room above the stage. The footage is from around 10 p.m., just as T.I. was scheduled to take the stage. Uncle Murda was also performing and ABC7 reports that the incident began as a fistfight before escalating.
“He walks right out, women all around, and starts shooting his gun,” SAID a police source. "It's an ongoing rap group rivalry, him and Maino."
For his part, Maino denied any involvement. The rapper posted a message on Instagram addressing the incident and said he has no issue with Troy or his camp.
"First and foremost my deepest condolences to the family & friends of Ronald Mcphatter who was tragically killed last night. Despite having to cope with more senseless violence. I woke up to the usual FALSE and ridiculous lies being circulated by irresponsible members of the media," Maino wrote. "What transpired was absolutely NOT the result of MYSELF or ANYBODY IN MY CAMP , ENTOURAGE, TRAVELING PARTY or ORGANIZATION IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. We entered the venue respectfully as always and exited in shocked like all other concertgoers."
33-year-old man Ronald McPhatter, a bodyguard for Troy Ave, was shot in the stomach during the melee and was rushed to Beth Israel Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two other victims were shot and hospitalized as well. His mother, Rose, told Eyewitness News that her son took a bullet to save a friend. "Right now I probably am trying to figure out what happened and why. You know, I want answers," she said.
City Councilman Jumaane Williams and others told the Daily News that he is shown in the video entering the green room behind Troy Ave and then running past him.
"My son jumped in to assist Troy," she said. "He was very protective. He was very protective of his family."
The incident isn't believed to have had anything to do with T.I., who was headlining the show at Irving Plaza and issued a statement via Instagram offering condolences for the victims and lamenting the violence.
“My heart is heavy today. Our music is intended to save lives, like it has mine and many others. My heartfelt condolences to the family that suffered the loss and my prayers are with all those injured. Respectfully, Tip," the Atlanta rapper shared.
UPDATE: Troy Ave charged with attempted murder.
According to a post from the NYPDNews Twitter page, Troy Ave has been officially charged with attempted murder as well as criminal possession of a weapon.
Read Maino's Instagram post below: