Rapper Offset Shot Outside Seminole Hard Rock Casino

^{The Migos rapper Offset, seen here at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, was recently involved in a shooting at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Florida. (Photo: Xavier Collin/ Image Press Agency / NurPhoto)}

One man has been arrested in connection with a fight that led to the shooting of rapper Offset outside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Offset, born as Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was shot in the valet parking area outside of the Guitar Hotel around 7 p.m. Monday night, according to the Seminole Police Department. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.

Offset is well-known as a former member of the hip-hop group Migos, one of the most commercially successful rap groups of the 2010s. The Atlanta trio, including his cousins Quavo and the late Takeoff, produced hits including "Versace" and "Bad and Boujee" before disbanding in 2023. This was almost a year after Takeoff was fatally shot at a private party in Houston in the fall of 2022. Offset has since pursued a solo career, releasing three albums.

According to police reports and social media accounts, Offset was hanging out with fans in the casino in the hours leading up to the shooting without incident.

“Seminole Police were on site immediately and the situation was contained quickly,” a spokesperson for police said. “Two individuals have been detained by police. The investigation is ongoing. The site is secure and there is no threat to the public.”

Lil Tjay Arrested, Rappers Trade Accusations 

According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by Daily Mail, it is said that Lil Tjay "directed members of his party to start a fight with another group of males” around 7:22 PM on Monday night. Police say one of the men in the rapper’s group pulled out a gun and shot Offset in the casino valet area. 

Police later arrested New York hip-hop artist Lil Tjay, born Tione Jayden Merritt, in connection with the incident. The 24-year-old has been charged only with a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct. 

While there was speculation that Lil Tjay may have been the individual who shot Offset, a lawyer representing Lil Tjay moved quickly to state that this wasn’t the case.

“Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting,” attorney Dawn M. Florio wrote in a statement to Billboard. “Any reporting to the contrary is false. We encourage people to consult trusted news sources, and to verify the accuracy of any reporting, before reflexively sharing or repeating baseless rumors.”

According to multiple media reports, Lil Tjay has previously claimed on social media that Offset owed him $10,000 that was loaned in connection with a gambling debt. It’s unclear if that might have played into the Hard Rock incident.

After Lil Tjay was released from jail, he told reporters that Offset had been present when he was shot, recounting "The last thing I see was Offset looking at me like this: 'Y, that [expletive] shot me, that [expletive] shot me!'"

He went on to call Offset a "rat" and denied any personal involvement, saying Offset would never make such allegations about him to his face.

After The Shade Room Teens posted about Lil Tjay's comments, Offset went on to comment on the post in response, writing "U ain't buss nun,” implying that nothing significant happened as a result of the shooting. 

Casino Lawsuit, Celebrity Debts Add to Offset's Troubles

While Offset appears to be recovering well from the shooting, the incident shone a light on the many individuals who claim he owes them money, as well as a recent lawsuit filed by a Detroit casino.

The MotorCity Casino Hotel recently sued Offset for breach of contract and fraud, claiming that the rapper had opened a credit line for $100,000 at the casino in March 2024. According to the filing, the casino claims it was unable to reach Offset directly to repay his credit line. While they attempted to withdraw the money directly from one of Offset’s accounts, which they say was agreed upon when the credit line was opened, the account didn’t have enough funds to cover the debt.

“We are working towards a resolution,” a spokesperson for Offset told TMZ regarding the lawsuit.

Others have also come out to claim that Offset owes them money, including former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and Ebro Darden. Bryant responded to news of Offset's shooting and texts sent to him from Lil Tjay and said the rapper owed him $8,000. Ebro Darden, who said Offset owed him $5,000 from a Super Bowl bet.