Offset shooting, Lil Tjay arrest explained – Casinos, debt claims, social media

The beef between rappers Offset and Lil Tjay has apparently escalated.

The Migos cofounder and Bronx MC have a short but hostile history, which has now resurfaced as the latter has been arrested “in connection with” the shooting of Offset in Hollywood, Florida.

A spokesperson for the Atlanta rapper, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, confirmed late Monday, April 6, that he was “shot and is currently at the hospital receiving medical care,” adding that “he is stable and being closely monitored.”

Police arrested Lil Tjay following the incident on charges of disorderly conduct and operating a vehicle without a valid license, according to Broward County Jail records and the Seminole Police Department.

Offset of Migos performs on stage at Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2014 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on Oct. 30, 2014, in New York City.

Takeoff, Trey Songz, Quavo and Offset pose backstage at Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2014 at Barclays Center.

Offset attends the 2024 GQ Men of the Year party at Bar Marmont in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, 2024.

See Offset’s career on stage with Migos, solo and on the fashion runway

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Offset of Migos performs on stage at Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2014 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on Oct. 30, 2014, in New York City.

Offset shooting, Lil Tjay arrest comes after gambling debt claims

Offset and Lil Tjay’s beef stems from social media threats over an alleged $10,000 debt.

In January 2025, Lil Tjay dissed the “Ric Flair Drip” rapper in an online back-and-forth, which he later claimed was due to Offset, 34, owing him money in connection to a gambling issue.

“Why I diss Offset? Offset is broke,” he said during a Twitch livestream, according to iHeart and Hot New Hip Hop. He claimed he saw the rapper in a casino “panicking” and asking people for Cash Apps.

The drill rapper added that he loaned the Atlanta rap star $10,000, but that he “ducked me for so long.”

Lil Tjay attends Michael Rubin’s 2022 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on Feb. 12, 2022, in Culver City, California.

“Mind you, I’m 23 and this is ‘raindrop, drop-top,'” the now 24-year-old added, referring to the lyrics to “Bad and Boujee,” a Migos track. “Cardi B husband … I’m only talking crazy because he was talking crazy. Like what? He want to talk crazy to me over my bread.”

And in supposed messages between the two leaked online, Lil Tjay threatened to “smack” Offset, with the “Bodies” rapper apparently replying that he’s “gotta be the wrong” recipient. “I’ll smoke you,” he said.

Then, in a since-deleted Instagram post that March, the “Zoo York” rapper wrote that “I could never be broke like set,” referring to Offset, “running off making smoke over lunch money.”

In the comments of the post, Offset challenged Lil Tjay to fight on livestream, iHeart and Hot New Hip Hop reported at the time, saying, “I’ll fly to you.”

A streamed fight never appeared to occur, and the beef apparently went quiet until Monday, April 6, when Offset was hospitalized after being shot.

Offset onstage during Grammy U Unwrapped: “Set It Off” by Offset on Sept. 20, 2024, in Atlanta.

Rapper Lil Tjay arrested, lawyer disputes involvement in Offset shooting

Rapper Lil Tjay arrested ‘in connection with’ Offset shooting

Seminole Police have confirmed Lil Tjay, born Tione Jayden Merritt, was arrested “in connection with the incident” that began with an affray, or fight, saying in a statement shared with USA TODAY that “Merritt was booked into the Broward County Jail late last night. A second person detained at the scene has not been charged.”

The rapper’s lawyer criticized “false rumors” that he was involved in the shooting of the Migos cofounder, saying he “has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting.”