The ongoing saga over Troy Ave’s shooting incident continues as the rapper sues Live Nation and New York City venue Irving Plaza.
The New York Daily News reports that Troy, who is out on $500,000 bail, is suing the venue for an alleged security breach that he feels led to the controversial shooting on May 25 where his friend and bodyguard Ronald McPhatter was shot and killed. Ave, whose real name is Roland Collins, was also shot that night, suffering a leg wound.
Joined by his lawyer Scott Leemon, Ave announced the news in a press conference in front of the performance venue. “I’m going through a lot,” he said. “I just want to get my life back.”
“He is the victim here,” added Leemon. “He did not bring a gun into this place. And we are seeking redress for the negligence.”
Troy was arrested and charged with attempted murder after appearing to shoot a weapon in the club’s surveillance video that night. His lawyers claim he took the weapon from another man in self defense prior to firing those shots. However, Ave has not been ruled out in the homicide investigations as officials look into McPhatter’s death.
Two weeks ago, Ave paid tribute to McPhatter on Instagram. “missin my dawg 4 real,” he wrote. “we woulda been ridin in a drop right now, OD 💔 @bsbbanga 🙏.”
The new court documents outline Ave’s grievances, but do not state a dollar amount. The docs explain that: “As a result of this incident, the plaintiff, a 30-year-old promising performer with his entire career ahead of him, has been left with disabling injuries which will forever affect his life, his career and his pursuits.”
They also claim that the venue should have taken “shooting incidents involving artists such as Tupac Shakur, Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, Notorious B.I.G., Trae and Jam Master Jay” into account because “several of these shootings occurred in music venues and/or clubs like Irving Plaza.”
For now, Collins faces travel restrictions and wears a monitoring bracelet. He has also been asked to stay away from performance venues like Irving Plaza.
