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Audio By Carbonatix
Last night, Atlanta rapper Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was shot in the leg in the valet area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
According to a statement provided to New Times by a spokesperson for the rapper, “We can confirm Offset was shot and is currently at the hospital receiving medical care,” adding that the former Migos member, “is stable and being closely monitored.”
Seminole Police, which has jurisdiction over the area, said in a statement to New Times: “We are aware of an incident that occurred at a valet area after 7 p.m. Monday outside of Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood that resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to an individual who was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.”
The statement continued, emphasizing that the situation was quickly contained: “Seminole Police were on site immediately and the situation was contained quickly. Two individuals have been detained by police. The investigation is ongoing. The site is secure and there is no threat to the public. Operations continue as normal.”
Lil Tjay Charged “in Connection” With Offset Shooting
At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, the Seminole Police issued an updated statement: “One person has been charged in connection with the incident that took place Monday night at a valet area outside of Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. Tione Jayden Merritt (DOB 4/30/2001) has been charged with disorderly conduct — affray, a first-degree misdemeanor under Florida Statute 870.01. The incident began with an affray, or fight. Merritt was booked into the Broward County Jail late last night. A second person detained at the scene has not been charged. The investigation to identify one or more additional persons involved in the incident is ongoing. The injured individual remains at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., with a non-life threatening injury.”
A video obtained by Only in Dade shows the moments immediately following the shooting:
Dawn M. Florio, Lil Tjay’s attorney, had shared a statement on the early hours of April 7 via Instagram saying that her client was not involved: “We are issuing this release in regards to false rumors 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 rumors.”
In December, New Times covered Offset’s album listening and watch party at Soho House Miami Pool House in Wynwood, held in support of his latest project, Kiari.
Takeoff, a member of Migos, was fatally shot in November 2022. Offset shares three children with Cardi B, who has a show in Sunrise on April 14.
New Times contacted Dawn M. Florio via email and did not hear back by the time of publication.
This is a developing story and will be updated as events warrant.
