Rapper Lil Tjay Shot Multiple Times In Robbery Attempt, Suspect Arrested

Rapper Lil Tjay was shot several times and another man was injured in an attempted armed robbery early Wednesday in New Jersey, according to law enforcement.

The incident, which was reported by TMZ early Wednesday but confirmed later in the day, occurred at the Chipotle fast food restaurant in a shopping mall in Edgewater.

Police responded to a 911 call about the shooting at 12:08 p.m. and found 21-year-old Lil Tjay (real name Tony Jayden Merritt) with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a press release from the attorney general broadcast by NBC News. The other victim, Antoine Boyd, 22, was found at an Exxon gas station about a mile from Chipotle, authorities said, with a single gunshot wound.

Investigators reported that Mohamed Konate, 27, tried to kidnap rapper Boyd and his partner Jeffrey Valdez, 24, when the shooting occurred. Later Wednesday, Konate was arrested in New York on three counts of attempted murder, three counts of armed robbery and one other charge of possession of a firearm, according to a press release. Must be delivered to New Jersey. Valdez and Boyd were also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Both victims were taken to hospital and treated, with Lil Tjay undergoing emergency surgery, according to TMZ. Officials said Wednesday night that the "severely injured" victim's condition had improved and stabilized. The other had life-threatening injuries and was in good condition.

Looking back, Tjay wrote in his Instagram story on Tuesday: "PSA Just because you've been with someone does not mean you're entitled to get the fruits of that person's work. Envy is at the peak of his life. daily, be careful.

Long before the incident was confirmed, support for Tjay was poured out by fans and colleagues. French Montana, who shared verses for the song "Slide" with Tjay and Blueface, asked for prayers on Twitter.

Tjay was one of the first Soundcloud artists to debut in 2016. He became famous in 2018 with his song "Resume" and signed with Columbia Records in the same year. In 2019, he released his studio debut album, True 2 Myself, which led the project to # 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2020, Tjay released a mix called "State of Emergency," which featured some engraving artists from his hometown, New York (Fivio Foreign, Pop Smoke). The rapper was known for his melodic style and released his second studio album Destined 2 Win in 2021, which included the lead song Calling My Phone, a collaboration with 6lack and his highest song to date.

Bronx rapper Lil Tjay was shot several times in New Jersey and 3 men arrested | latest news