Jordan Ellis
On June 22, 2022, American rapper Lil Tjay (born Tione Merritt) was shot in New Jersey and underwent emergency surgery. The 21-year-old artist was one of two victims shot at a local shopping plaza, with the other being a 22-year-old man named Antoine Boyd. Lil Tjay was shot seven times and required emergency surgery, but he is now recovering and has since shared an update with his fans. This incident has sparked conversations about the dangers faced by rappers and the prevalence of gun violence in the industry. Lil Tjay's health and recovery have been closely followed by fans and fellow artists alike, with many awaiting further updates on his condition and return to music.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | June 22, 2022 |
| Location | Edgewater, New Jersey |
| Number of shots | Seven |
| Hospitalized | Yes |
| Surgery | Emergency surgery was required |
| Suspect | Mohamed Konate |
| Current condition | Stable, awake and alert |
| Response | Fans and fellow artists expressed shock and support |
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What You'll Learn
Lil Tjay was shot seven times in New Jersey
On June 22, 2022, American rapper Lil Tjay (born Tione Merritt, also known as Tione Jayden Merritt) was shot seven times in an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. Another man, Antoine Boyd, was also wounded during the incident, suffering a single gunshot wound.
The shooting took place at a Chipotle restaurant in a residential and outdoor shopping centre. Police stated that the suspect, 27-year-old Mohamed Konate, approached Tjay's vehicle, demanded jewellery, and then began firing a gun. Two of Tjay's friends were also in the car, one of whom, Jeffrey Valdez, was arrested on a second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon charge.
Lil Tjay underwent emergency surgery and was briefly listed in critical condition. He was in a coma for five days, and doctors had to remove a bullet that was lodged in his neck. In late June, sources close to the rapper stated that he had made "significant progress" in his recovery and was "awake and alert".
In August 2022, Lil Tjay shared an update on his condition for the first time since the shooting, thanking his fans for their love and support. He revealed that he had been shot seven times and that "most people don't survive it". Despite the trauma he endured, he assured his fans that he would be returning to music soon and that he would "come back stronger than ever".
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He underwent emergency surgery
On June 22, 2022, rapper Lil Tjay, born Tione Merritt, was shot in New Jersey and underwent emergency surgery. Lil Tjay was one of two victims in a double shooting in Edgewater, with the other victim being a 22-year-old man named Antoine Boyd. Lil Tjay was shot multiple times and required emergency surgery as a result of his injuries.
Following the shooting, a manhunt for the suspect was immediately launched. A few days later, 27-year-old Mohamed Konate was arrested and taken into custody in connection with the crime. Konate was alleged to have attempted to rob Tjay, Boyd, and a third individual, Jeffrey Valdez. Valdez and Boyd were also arrested on second-degree unlawful weapon possession charges.
In late June, sources close to Lil Tjay shared that he was making "significant progress" in his recovery and was "awake and alert." On August 24, 2022, Lil Tjay himself provided an update on his condition for the first time since the shooting. In a video posted to Instagram, he expressed his gratitude for the love and support he had received from his fans. He acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, "Seven shots, it was tough, you know? Most people don't survive it, but I'm here. Here for a reason, and new music coming soon. We gonna come back stronger than ever."
The rapper also addressed the shooting in his new song, "Beat the Odds," released on August 26, 2022. The music video for the song shows Lil Tjay in a hospital, rapping while in a wheelchair, and later getting up to walk on his own, symbolizing his recovery journey.
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The alleged shooter, Mohamed Konate, was arrested
On June 22, 2022, 21-year-old rapper Lil Tjay was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. He underwent emergency surgery and was said to be making "significant progress" towards recovery.
The alleged shooter, 27-year-old Mohamed Konate, was also wounded in the shootout and arrested at Lennox Hill Hospital in Manhattan a few hours later. Konate, a New York native, was charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm, and fourth-degree aggravated assault.
According to investigators, Konate approached the vehicle of Lil Tjay, Antoine Boyd, and Jeffrey Valdez, pulled out a gun and demanded money and jewelry. A shootout ensued, during which Lil Tjay and Boyd were wounded. Konate was also shot and was helped by an unidentified associate who drove him to the hospital.
During a court hearing on July 26, 2022, Konate's request for release to receive medical treatment was denied. He was ordered to remain in custody at Bergen County Jail, with the jail facilitating his outside medical care.
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Lil Tjay thanked fans for their support
On June 22, 2022, American rapper Lil Tjay was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. The 21-year-old rapper was unconscious and breathing through a tube for a few days.
Following the shooting, Lil Tjay offered an update to his fans via social media, thanking them for their love and support during his recovery. In a video posted to Instagram and Twitter in August 2022, the rapper said:
> "Hey, what's going on y'all? It's your boy Tjay, man. I'm just checking in with y'all. I just wanna say, thanks for the love, thanks for the support. I've been looking at the DMs, the comments, and everything else, and I feel love. Seven shots, it was tough, you know? Most people don't survive it, but I'm here. Here for a reason, and new music coming soon. We gonna come back stronger than ever. Love y'all."
The shooting sparked a manhunt for the suspects, and Mohamed Konate was later arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder. Two other suspects were also arrested and charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
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He released a new song, 'Beat the Odds', addressing the shooting
On June 22, 2022, American rapper Lil Tjay was shot in New Jersey and underwent emergency surgery. The artist, born Tione Merritt, is best known for his single "Calling My Phone." Following the shooting, Lil Tjay shared an update on his condition with his fans via Instagram, expressing his gratitude for their love and support and promising new music soon.
"Beat the Odds" was released as Lil Tjay's first song after recovering from his injuries. The song addresses his near-death experience and the shooting, with lyrics such as "Grateful for the shit I got 'cause I come from a hard life / Demons on my mental, saw some shit I wanna archive / Feds lookin' out tryna bring a nigga down." In the song, he also raps about his past life, gang affiliations, and mentions family members who have supported him throughout his journey.
The official music video for "Beat the Odds" was uploaded to YouTube on August 26, 2022, just two days after Lil Tjay shared an update on his condition and expressed his love and appreciation for his fans on Instagram. The song's release marked a significant moment in Lil Tjay's recovery and return to music, demonstrating his resilience and determination to continue pursuing his artistic career.
The shooting incident caused a wave of concern and support for the young rapper, with fellow artists such as French Montana and Jim Jones offering their well-wishes and support during his recovery. The alleged shooter, Mohamed Konate, was taken into custody, and two other individuals, Boyd and Jeffrey Valdez, were also arrested on weapon charges related to the incident.
"Beat the Odds" serves as a powerful statement of Lil Tjay's strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. Through his music, he has transformed his personal struggles into a creative outlet, connecting with his fans and sharing his journey toward recovery and a renewed musical direction.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Lil Tjay has been discharged from the hospital. He was shot in New Jersey in June 2022 and underwent emergency surgery. He received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow artists.
Lil Tjay was shot seven times in a robbery attempt in Edgewater, New Jersey. The alleged shooter, Mohamed Konate, was arrested and taken into custody.
Lil Tjay is doing well and recovering. He posted an update on his condition on Instagram, thanking his fans for their love and support. He also released a new song, "Beat the Odds," addressing the shooting.
