UPDATED 7/16, 6:52 p.m. ET: The shootout that Troy Ave and his friend, Chef Geoff, reportedly took part in was staged.
According to TMZ, sources have confirmed to the outlet that there wasn't a robbery attempt and the Brownsville rapper didn't fire live rounds in defense of his friend. The San Diego County Police also denied reports of the incident. Troy Ave fans have speculated about behind the "shooting" video in the post's comment section, some believing that it's promotion for an upcoming single.
See original story below.
In a video of home security footage shared by celebrity chef Geoff Cole, rapper Troy Ave was seen opening fire on a man who attempted a robbery.
In the footage, Troy Ave and Geoff Cole are seen exiting a Bentley in high spirits when a man walks by in the alley behind them and attempts to charge at Cole. As soon as the masked man tackled Cole, Ave pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots in his direction, making sure that his friend wasn't in the firing line. He chased the guy into the alley, but it's unclear if any of the shots landed.
"I came home after Celebrating the success of a sold out Chef Fest with Love & support from all over the West Coast!" wrote Cole alongside the video. "And a hater from the SAME CITY tried 2 take it all away! This the 2nd time but it WON’T be a 3rd! s/o 2 my BROTHER Ave for Holding it Down in a situation where most woulda RAN or FOLDED 💪🏽 ‼️ I’ll never let the hate stop Me from showing LOVE! Ima keep giving artists."
As reported by TMZ, the incident went down in June, despite the video only just being posted. The Chef Fest event that the two attended happened around the same time in San Diego.
Troy Ave was released from Rikers Island last year, where he was serving time for his involvement in a 2016 shooting at New York's Irving Plaza. The rapper was set to serve a sentence for the fatal shooting of Ronald "Banga" McPhatter, during which Ave and fellow rapper Taxstone struggled over a firearm that led to McPhatter's death.
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