The rapper Troy Ave, real name Roland Collins, has been charged with attempted murder after shooting up Irving Plaza in New York City during a TI concert. His arrest came shortly after the New York Police Department released security footage showing the rapper firing a pistol in the VIP room of Irving Plaza. Troy Ave shot and killed 33-year-old Ronald McPhatter, and injured Maggie Heckstall (26) and Christopher Vinson (34).
Before the video was released, rumors were swirling Thursday afternoon that the rapper had been involved in the shooting somehow. Then it was learned that a bullet had actually grazed his leg, so people thought that was the extent of his involvement.
But only once the explicit security footage was released yesterday afternoon did people actually understand Troy’s participation. It’s now believed that he shot himself accidentally–and that either a bullet ricocheted into him or that he pulled the trigger with the gun facing in the wrong direction.
The Concert
The show was on Wednesday night, May 25th at Irving Plaza–starting with performances by Maino & Uncle Murda and then ending with a show by TI. The venue, which can hold 1K+ people, was packed. Many of you who live in NYC or have been to concerts here have probably been inside. The place is tiny, but a great place for intimate shows.
Security was supposed to be tight and police say that metal detectors had been set up at the door, but often times VIP guests and artists get to skip the security.
Around 10 PM, Maino and Uncle Murda went on stage to perform. Around 10:15, people began shuffling out from backstage yelling that someone had been shot. Soon afterwards, the venue was cleared and shut down by the NYPD. TI never showed.
The Shooting
The shooting itself took place in the VIP green room in the back of the venue. You can clearly see Troy Ave burst into the VIP room, joined by two men, as he searches for someone. The next thing you see in the CCTV footage is that Troy Ave shoots his gun, then runs out of the frame (presumably to fire more shots). The question is why Troy would be searching for his bodyguard, Ronald McPhatter, and then shoot him.
The Video
Here’s the security footage that everyone’s talking about.
https://twitter.com/MylesMill/status/735945178712813568