Lil Tjay exits jail, denies shooting Offset, but says he’ll “smack the […] out of him” [VIDEO]

A Shirtless Interview and a Chaotic Walk to Freedom

Lil Tjay walked out of Broward County Jail this afternoon (April 7), shirtless and talking. The rapper was arrested hours earlier after Offset was shot at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Immediately, he gave an on‑camera interview denying he pulled the trigger while threatening to physically confront the wounded Migos member.

“I’ll smack the […] out of Offset,” Lil Tjay said. Meanwhile, smiling into a forest of microphones. He also repeatedly told reporters to “ask Offset” about the dispute and labeled someone a “rat.” That was a move many viewed as accidentally admitting his own involvement. Speculation of his involvement has been debunked, however.

Here is what the video shows, what led to the arrest, and why the internet thinks Lil Tjay just snitched on himself.

From Jail Cell to Camera: Lil Tjay’s First Words After Release

Less than 24 hours after the Hard Rock Casino shooting, Lil Tjay (Tione Jayden Merritt) emerged from Broward County Main Jail into bright daylight. He wore no shirt, only light‑colored pants and a black scarf draped around his neck. Reporters from CBS News Miami, Local 10 News, and other outlets swarmed him as he walked toward the parking lot.

The rapper appeared energetic, smiling and gesturing as he spoke directly into cameras. A persistent news banner on the NBC clip read: “RAPPER LIL TJAY OUT OF JAIL FOLLOWING SHOOTING OF OFFSET, RECORDS SHOW.” His first words were a reenactment: “The last thing I seen was Offset looking at me like this.” He mimicked Offset’s alleged expression, then added, “Yo, that na shot me! Yo, that na shot me!”

When a reporter asked what happened, Lil Tjay said, “I didn’t do no damn fighting.” He denied the shooting allegation directly: “Did I shoot? That’s is crazy.” But his demeanor – laughing, waving off questions, and deflecting with “Ask Offset” – struck many observers as odd for a man who had just spent a night in jail connected to a shooting.

Smacking Offset? The Threat That Went Viral

The most incendiary moment of the 25‑second clip came when a reporter asked Lil Tjay about smacking Offset. He did not deny it. Instead, he escalated: “I’ll smack the […] out of Offset. He would never play like that with me in his life.” The statement, delivered with a smile, quickly circulated across hip‑hop accounts and news sites.

Offset, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was shot in the valet area of the Hard Rock Casino around 7 p.m. on April 6. He sustained non‑life‑threatening injuries and was hospitalized in stable condition. No charges have been filed against anyone for the shooting itself. Lil Tjay was arrested on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge (affray) and for driving without a valid license – not for shooting anyone.

Yet Lil Tjay’s own words suggested more than just a fight. By threatening to physically assault Offset while the victim was still in a hospital bed, the rapper signaled that the feud is far from over. His attorney, Dawn M. Florio, issued a statement denying any involvement in the shooting, calling rumors “false.” But the on‑camera bravado undercut any attempt at a low profile.

What Happened at the Hard Rock Casino: Shooting, Arrest, and Charges

According to Seminole Police, officers responded to a fight in the valet area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino around 7 p.m. on April 6, 2026. During or immediately after the altercation, Offset was shot. Lil Tjay was taken into custody late that night and booked into Broward County Jail.

The arrest report alleges that Merritt “directed members of his party to start a fight with another small group of males.” Surveillance video reportedly shows him pointing at Offset before he and his associates approached and engaged in the fight. Offset was shot during the melee. A second individual was detained but not charged.

Lil Tjay faced two charges: first‑degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct (affray), which relates to fighting or tumultuous behavior, and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license. Bond was set at $500 for the main charge and $2,500 for the traffic offense. He bonded out quickly, leading to the shirtless walk and impromptu press conference. Notably, no charges related to the shooting itself have been filed against Lil Tjay as of April 7.

The Accusation That Backfired

Midway through the interview, Lil Tjay made a comment that legal experts and social media users seized on. While gesturing animatedly, he said, “La la la. The […] is a rat in your mouth.” The context: he was reacting to Offset allegedly identifying him as the shooter to police.

Calling someone a “rat” for reporting a shooting to authorities is, in street code, an accusation of snitching. But many online pointed out the obvious contradiction: if Offset is a rat for saying Lil Tjay shot him, then Lil Tjay is admitting he did the shooting. “By saying Offset is a rat, he’s admitting to shooting him,” one viral reply read. “These folks make the police’s job WAYYYY too easy.”

Lil Tjay also repeatedly deflected questions about money, telling reporters “Ask Offset” when asked if someone owed him cash. That fueled speculation about an unpaid gambling debt – reportedly around $10,000 from a previous casino encounter. Whether true or not, the rapper’s own words painted a picture of involvement far beyond “disorderly conduct.”

Prior Tension: Gambling Debts and Resurfaced DMs

The shooting did not emerge from a vacuum. Social media users quickly resurfaced evidence of bad blood between Lil Tjay and Offset predating the April 6 incident. Reports and posts referenced an alleged unpaid gambling debt – roughly $10,000 – from a previous casino visit. Lil Tjay had reportedly made public comments about Offset’s finances, and screenshots of direct messages between the two circulated after the shooting.

While none of this appeared in official police statements, it shaped public perception. Many viewed the shooting as the culmination of a simmering dispute over money and respect. Lil Tjay’s own references to “ask Offset” about money during his jailhouse interview reinforced that narrative.

The resurfaced tension also explains why Lil Tjay felt emboldened to threaten Offset on camera. He was not speaking from a place of surprise but from a long‑standing feud. His attorney’s denial of shooting involvement may be legally sound, but the rapper’s public behavior suggests he expects the conflict to continue – possibly in court or on the street.

Legal Fallout and What Comes Next for Lil Tjay and Offset

No charges have been filed against Lil Tjay for the shooting itself. He remains free on bond for disorderly conduct and a traffic violation. But his on‑camera statements could change that. Prosecutors could use his words – particularly the “rat” accusation and the threat to smack Offset – as evidence of motive, intent, or consciousness of guilt.

Offset is still recovering from his wounds. He has not publicly responded to Lil Tjay’s interview. His legal team may pursue separate action, or law enforcement may reopen the investigation based on new statements. The surveillance video reportedly showing Lil Tjay pointing at Offset before the shooting remains a key piece of evidence.

For now, Lil Tjay appears unconcerned. He walked out of jail smiling, gave an unfiltered interview, and went home. But the internet has already tried and convicted him in the court of public opinion. Whether real charges follow depends on how seriously prosecutors take his own words – and whether Offset chooses to cooperate further. One thing is certain: the feud is far from over.