Lil Tjay came out of a Florida jail on Tuesday and immediately made it clear he wants no part of the rumors tying him to Offset’s shooting.
Speaking to reporters after posting bond, the Bronx rapper denied that he had been fighting and pushed back hard on speculation about what happened outside Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood the night before. In a video shared by NBC 6 South Florida, Tjay said, “The last thing I remember was Offset looking at me and shouting that n**** shot me. That n**** shot me. I didn’t do no damn fighting,” before adding, “Did I shoot Offset? That s*** is crazy,” and, “I’ll smack the st out of Offset. He would never play with me like that in his life.” He also told reporters to “Ask Offset,” and claimed the last thing he saw was Offset accusing him.
His comments came just hours after authorities confirmed that Tjay, whose real name is Tione Jayden Merritt, had been arrested on a disorderly conduct-affray charge and booked into Broward County Jail. Records cited by multiple outlets show his bond was set at $500, and he was released Tuesday afternoon.
Tjay’s camp also moved quickly to shut down the online chatter. In a statement attributed to his attorney, Dawn M. Florio, his side said the rumors linking him to the shooting were false. “Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting,” the statement said, adding that “any reporting to the contrary is false.”
Police have so far backed up that distinction. According to the Seminole Police Department, Tjay was charged in connection with the altercation that began in the valet area outside the casino, but not with the shooting itself. Authorities said the incident started as a fight, one other person was detained but not charged, and investigators are still trying to identify additional people involved.
The larger incident left Offset hospitalized with what officials and his representatives described as non-life-threatening injuries. A spokesperson confirmed he was receiving medical care and was in stable condition, while police said the scene was secured quickly and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
First pictures of the rapper were also posted last evening, following his release from the hospital.
Offset and Lil Tjay’s issues go back to a public fallout over an alleged $10,000 debt. In early 2025, Tjay accused Offset of owing him money tied to a gambling dispute and claimed on a livestream that the rapper had been avoiding repayment. At the time, Tjay said he saw Offset at a casino “panicking” and asking people for Cash Apps, and alleged that he loaned him $10,000 before being “ducked” afterwards.
Stay tuned to SSZRadio for more exclusive updates on this developing story.