Gun Found in Car Carrying Troy Ave Matches Bullet From Show Shooting
A gun found in the car that took Troy Ave to the hospital after a shooting at New York City’s Irving Plaza has been matched to the bullet that killed the rapper’s friend and bodyguard Ronald McPhatter, DNAinfo New York reports.
Following the shooting, Troy Ave — real name Roland Collins — was driven to the emergency room at NYU Langone Hospital, where New York Police Department officers kept the car from leaving. After obtaining a warrant, investigators uncovered a secret compartment in the vehicle, which held three handguns, including the one that killed McPhatter. Detectives plan to perform DNA tests on the guns to determine who had handled them.
The latest developments in the case come after Collins pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and criminal possession of a firearm at a hearing Monday at Manhattan Criminal Court. His charges, however, could be upgraded if tests determine his gun was responsible for McPhatter’s death.
Two members of the hip-hop community have already voiced their support for Troy Ave: Meek Mill and longtime proponent, 50 Cent. On Instagram, both posted pictures of the MC showing up to court in a wheelchair with his leg in a cast. “Self Defense that’s more like it now,” 50 Cent wrote. “Hold ya head TROY. See how the story change.”
The shooting took place at T.I.’s New York concert May 25th, and left four injured, including Troy Ave. McPhatter was the only fatality.
The incident reportedly occurred after a set from rapper Maino, with whom Troy Ave had reportedly been beefing (though according to DNAinfo, other sources said the fight started when Troy Ave saw a music writer who’d been critical of him). The gunshots occurred in the green room above the stage, and surveillance video from the incident showed Troy Ave emerging backstage and opening fire.
New York rapper Troy Ave has been arrested in connection with the fatal shootout. Watch the surveillance video here.
Initial reports claimed that Troy Ave shot both himself and McPhatter, but one of the rapper’s lawyers denied the allegation, saying the video released by the NYPD did not show what happened before or after the incident. “The scientific evidence will show he didn’t shoot himself,” he added.
Despite not having a criminal record, the judge who oversaw Monday’s hearing denied Troy Ave’s request of a $50,000 bail, instead opting to keep him in custody without bail until his trial ends.