Troy Ave appeared in court today (May 30) and the Brooklyn native plead not guilty to charges stemming from the T.I. concert shooting last week at Manhattan’s Irving Plaza. A judge remanded the rapper without bail and he continues to be under police custody while recovering from surgery. Troy Ave is accused of firing a weapon inside the Live Nation venue and NYPD released video that appeared to be the rapper with a gun in his hand.
According to the New York Daily News, attorneys representing Troy Ave claimed that his client is the victim and doesn’t live “a gangster rap lifestyle.”
“What really happened here is Mr. Collins here is the real victim,” Scott Leemon said, identifying Troy Ave by his real name, Ronald Collins. “The person who was killed at this event, he died a hero. (Ronald McPhatter) was his bodyguard. He wasn’t shot by Mr. Collins. He was a lifelong friend.
“This 11 seconds of video that the NYPD released, it doesn’t say what happened before, it doesn’t say what happened after,” added Leemon, who in the past has represented 50 Cent and Young Jeezy, among other rappers. “The scientific evidence will show he didn’t shoot himself. This was another rush to judgement.”
An assistant district attorney, Christine Keenan, noted the evidence in the case via a video where Troy Ave can be seen exiting the backstage area into the VIP and seconds later firing off his weapon. According to reports, after ballistics tests are conducted, Troy Ave could face additional charges. The Brooklyn upstart is currently facing an attempted murder charge.