Rapper Lil Tjay has been released on bond after being arrested in connection with a violent altercation that left fellow rapper Offset injured in Florida.
The 24-year-old, whose real name is Tione Jayden Merritt, was taken into custody on Monday in Broward County and charged with disorderly conduct, according to jail records and TMZ.
The arrest followed an incident at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, where authorities say a fight broke out in the valet area and escalated into gunfire.
Police say Merritt and another individual were detained at the scene, though only Lil Tjay has been formally charged.
An arrest report alleges that Merritt “directed members of his party to start a fight with another small group of males” and reportedly approached Offset, leading to a physical confrontation.
Lil Tjay was leaving the Broward County Jail and spoke on the shooting incident at the Hard Rock Casino ? pic.twitter.com/s5QFzLuUgD
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) April 7, 2026
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Merritt pointing at Offset before the altercation.
At the height of the chaos, a man associated with Lil Tjay discharged a firearm, wounding Offset. The rapper, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was hospitalized in stable condition and is expected to recover.
Lil Tjay’s lawyer, Dawn Florio, issued a statement clarifying that her client was not involved in the shooting. “Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false,” she said.
In a video posted by media personality DJ Akademiks, Lil Tjay is seen leaving the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, where he addressed the media and called out Offset.
When asked if he had shot Offset, he responded, “I’ll smack that s*** out of Offset. He would never play like that with me in his life. Ask Offset.”
The incident has drawn reactions across the entertainment world.
Quavo shared a prayer emoji on social media, while wrestling legend Ric Flair posted, “Prayers for Offset! Stay strong! Thank you so much for all you have done in my career.”
Authorities say the situation was quickly contained, with no ongoing threat to the public, and investigations are ongoing to determine the events leading to the violence.