Rapper Lil Tjay walked out of Broward Main Jail on Tuesday after being arrested on disorderly conduct charges following a shooting incident that left fellow rapper Offset hospitalized at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. The 24-year-old Tione Jayden Merritt vehemently denied any involvement in the shooting of 34-year-old Kiari Kendrell Cephus, known professionally as Offset.
“I don’t do no damn fightin’,” Lil Tjay told media outlets as he exited the Fort Lauderdale jail. The Bronx native gave an expletive-laden account of the incident, saying “That n—- shot me.’ That n—- shot me.’ That n—- is a rat.’ Cap n—-,” before adding “Weirdos. Y’all gettin’ a good a– interview.” Lil Tjay was charged with disorderly conduct and operating a vehicle without a valid license, with his bond set at a combined $3,000.
“Hell naw,” Lil Tjay replied when asked by Local 10 News reporter Bridgette Matter if Offset had put his hands on him. “How many times I gotta tell you that ain’t nobody touch me?” The rapper’s attorney, Dawn M. Florio, pushed back on speculation circulating online in a statement saying “Merritt has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting,” adding that “any reporting to the contrary is false.”
According to an arrest report by Seminole tribal police, Lil Tjay “directed members of his party to start a fight” with Offset and his group outside the casino’s valet area. The report states that surveillance video showed Lil Tjay exited a vehicle, pointed at Offset, and his group began fighting with the Migos member. Police said Lil Tjay “had his phone out, recording members of his group” attacking Offset before “one of the males associated with (Lil Tjay) pulled a firearm and discharged it, wounding one of the individuals.”
Offset, who boasts 23.8 million social media followers and more than 17 million monthly Spotify listeners, was hospitalized in stable condition following the shooting. “We can confirm Offset was shot and is currently at the hospital receiving medical care,” his representative told Variety. “He is stable and being closely monitored.” The rapper was married to Cardi B in 2017, though she filed for divorce in 2024, and the couple shares three children.
The Seminole Police Department confirmed that Merritt was arrested “in connection with the incident,” while a second person was detained at the scene but has not been charged. Police said one person suffered injuries that were not life-threatening in the incident and that the scene has been secured with no ongoing threat to the public. Two people were taken into custody following the altercation at the Hollywood casino.
Offset rose to fame as part of the rap group Migos, which released four full-length albums before closing that chapter after the killing of member Takeoff. The third member of Migos, rapper Quavo, held a summit against gun violence in 2024 to transform his nephew Takeoff’s tragic shooting into a force for change. Police said Takeoff was an innocent bystander when he was shot outside a Houston bowling alley after a disagreement over a dice game, with his death among a string of fatal shootings involving hip-hop stars including Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke, PnB Rock and Young Dolph.
Local 10 News has requested Lil Tjay’s arrest report and has asked additional questions of Offset’s representative as the investigation continues.