Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Rapper Troy Ave Pleads Not Guilty in T.I. Concert Shooting

Troy Ave (R) with T.I.
Troy Ave (R) with T.I.

*Rapper Troy Ave has pleaded not guilty in the shootout that killed one person and injured three others during T.I.’s concert Wednesday, May 25, in New York.

The artist, whose real name is Roland Collins, was arraigned Monday on charges including attempted murder. He is currently being held without bail.

After ballistics tests, Collins’ charges could be upgraded to murder in the death of 30-year-old Ronald “Banga” McPhatter, who was struck in the stomach during the shootout. Another 34-year-old man was shot in the abdomen, while a woman was hit in the knee causing a shattered femur.

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Prosecutors said Collins recklessly fired a gun five times in the crowded venue with no concern about the consequences. Assistant DA Christine Keena said police recovered three guns, including the one used in the shooting, in the van that carried Troy Ave to the hospital.

“This defendant is on video coming out of the VIP room where the individuals were shot,” Keenan told The New York Daily News. ”He had the gun in his hand and was seen firing that gun in the direction of fleeing patrons.”

But the rapper’s lawyer, Scott Leemon, said McPhatter was not shot by his client. He said the video released by the NYPD showing Troy Ave firing into the venue only shows a portion of what happened.

“He didn’t shoot himself, he didn’t shoot his lifelong friend and bodyguard, Ronald McPhatter,” Leemon told AllHipHop.com. “Ronald died a hero and should be remembered that way. The snippet of the video released by NYPD doesn’t tell the whole story.”

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