In June 2022, the hip-hop community was shaken when news broke that rising star Lil Tjay had been shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. As the 21-year-old rapper fought for his life in the hospital, rumors began circulating online claiming he was paralyzed or even brain dead. These rumors of Lil Tjay being paralyzed started floating around social media platforms, creating confusion and concern among fans worldwide. Sportskeeda This article examines the truth behind these claims, traces Lil Tjay’s remarkable recovery journey, and provides an update on his current status in 2024.
The Shooting Incident
On June 22, 2022, Lil Tjay (born Tione Jayden Merritt) became the victim of a violent crime that nearly claimed his life. Lil Tjay was shot in the thoracic cavity, a space surrounded by the rib cage that contains vital organs including the heart, lungs, and esophagus. HOT 97 The severity of his injuries required immediate medical intervention.
The incident occurred while Lil Tjay was sitting in his car outside a Chipotle restaurant in Edgewater, New Jersey. The 21-year-old rapper was rushed into emergency surgery after sustaining seven gunshot wounds during the attempted robbery. HipHopDX According to reports, Tjay was with two friends at the time, one of whom also sustained a gunshot wound.
Mohamed Konate, 27, was later arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, and multiple weapons charges in connection with the shooting.
The Paralysis Rumors
In the days following the shooting, with Lil Tjay in critical condition and limited official updates about his status, rumors about his condition spread rapidly across social media. One particular rumor claiming Lil Tjay was paralyzed was traced back to a Twitter account with the username @ilove69andtjay, which posted: “JUST IN: Doctor Raheem Smith said Lil Tjay will be paralyzed for the rest of his life. He got 5 of 7 shots in the chest area and 2 in the spine.”
However, no reliable news source ever mentioned a Dr. Raheem Smith in connection with Tjay’s medical team, and the same Twitter account later made contradictory claims, including falsely reporting that the rapper had passed away. These inconsistencies raised red flags about the credibility of the information.
While some reports claimed the New York star was on the mend, rumors persisted that Tjay was paralyzed, but these rumors could not be confirmed. Hip-Hop Wired The lack of official updates from Tjay’s management team or family in the initial days after the shooting created an information vacuum that was filled with speculation and misinformation.
Family Response to Rumors
As concerns about Lil Tjay’s condition grew, a family member finally broke silence to address the rumors. Quinn Smith, Lil Tjay’s uncle, stepped forward to clarify the situation after rumors claimed the rapper had died, was paralyzed, or had suffered brain death due to his injuries.
Smith made a statement on Instagram, saying, “Man, listen. All these rumors and bullsht going on about my nephew unless you hear it from someone in the family or very close to him, don’t believe sht.” Music Times When asked directly about the rapper’s condition by a fan, Smith confirmed that Tjay was “pulling through” and would “be okay.”
Smith and Lil Tjay follow each other on Instagram, verifying that he is indeed connected to the rapper and that his updates were credible. Vanguard News This statement from a family member helped calm some of the more extreme concerns about Tjay’s condition.
Lil Tjay’s Road to Recovery
While initial reports about Lil Tjay’s condition were concerning, the rapper began showing signs of improvement. According to a report published on June 30, 2022, Lil Tjay had regained consciousness and was able to talk as he continued to recover from emergency surgery. Doctors had removed his breathing tube, which was a positive sign for his recovery.
Most encouragingly, sources indicated that the New York native’s voice still sounded exactly the way it was before the shooting, giving hope that he could continue his music career.
After weeks of recovery and little public communication, Lil Tjay finally addressed his fans directly. On August 24, 2022, he posted a video to his Instagram account where he spoke about his experience, saying, “Seven shots, it was tough, you know. Most people don’t survive it, but I’m here for a reason.” NME In the video, he was wearing a neck brace but appeared to be recovering well.
Proof Against Paralysis Claims
The most definitive evidence disproving the paralysis rumors came from Lil Tjay himself. In September 2022, Lil Tjay shared a video from his recovery showing him beginning to walk, which was apparently taken just one week after undergoing surgery.
In the video, which featured his song “Beat The Odds,” Lil Tjay wrote: “The blogs said I was paralyzed and couldn’t walk. But I started walking a week after surgery. I beat the odds.” HotNewHipHop This firsthand evidence directly contradicted the rumors that had claimed he would be permanently paralyzed.
The rapper’s recovery was remarkable given the severity of his injuries. Due to a lack of updates, many blogs had continuously shared reports claiming that Tjay was paralyzed, brain dead, or even deceased. Music Times However, his recovery video proved these claims false.
Musical Comeback After Recovery
After his recovery, Lil Tjay channeled his near-death experience into new music. On August 26, 2022, he released “Beat The Odds,” a comeback single that reflected on his survival and recovery. The official music video for the track showcased Lil Tjay’s time in the hospital recovering from the shooting, including footage of him recording the song from his hospital room with his bullet wounds visible.
By September 2022, just a few months after the shooting, Lil Tjay was well enough to perform his first concert since being shot. This performance was another clear indication that the rapper had not been paralyzed by his injuries and had made a remarkable physical recovery.
One year after the shooting, in June 2023, Lil Tjay released another song titled “June 22nd” to mark the anniversary of the incident that nearly ended his life and career. The track included a dramatic recreation of the shooting and reflected on his survival journey. Rap-Up This release was part of his album “222,” which dropped in July 2023.
Lil Tjay’s Current Status in 2024-2025
As of 2024-2025, Lil Tjay has made a full recovery from his injuries and is actively performing and touring. Recent concert reviews from fans across multiple cities show that Lil Tjay has been actively touring and performing live shows throughout 2023 and into 2024. Bandsintown Fan reactions describe energetic performances, indicating no lasting physical limitations from his injuries.
According to his artist profile on Ticketmaster, “New York’s Lil Tjay is a rapper-singer with street-level lyrics but pop star energy. Naturally, his live shows have no shortage of hand-waving, crowd singalongs, and a cappella breaks that highlight the depth and intricacy of his bars.” Ticketmaster US Such descriptions of his performances further confirm his physical recovery.
In the years following the shooting, Lil Tjay has remained active in the music industry. His third studio album, “222,” was released on July 14, 2023, featuring collaborations with artists including Summer Walker, The Kid LAROI, Fivio Foreign, Jadakiss, Polo G, and Coco Jones. The album’s title and release appear to reference his survival from the June 22, 2022 shooting incident.
The Lesson in Misinformation
The case of Lil Tjay’s alleged paralysis offers an important lesson about the spread of misinformation, particularly in the age of social media. As one news outlet observed regarding these types of rumors, “The truth is both surreal and depressing,” noting how quickly false information can spread without verification.
During the height of the rumors, many fans took to social media to defend the rapper, with one tweeting, “I hope Lil Tjay make it out that coma 100x stronger. Y’all dumb out here reporting he’s dead or paralyzed. Bruh get your facts straight.” This grassroots fact-checking by fans helped combat the spread of misinformation.
As one fan page succinctly put it: “Lil tjay is not paralyzed we have got no update from close friends or doctors or big news pages that he’s paralyzed stop believing these fake troll pages.” AllHipHop This statement highlighted the importance of verifying information through official channels rather than unverified social media accounts.
Conclusion
The story of Lil Tjay’s shooting and recovery is one of resilience and perseverance. Despite suffering seven gunshot wounds in a life-threatening attack, the young rapper defied the odds and made a remarkable recovery. As he himself stated in his social media posts, he “beat the odds” of his serious injuries.
The rumors about Lil Tjay being paralyzed were definitively proven false by his own videos showing him walking just a week after surgery, his return to performing live concerts within months of the shooting, and his continued active touring schedule through 2023 and 2024. His successful musical comeback, including the release of his album “222” and multiple singles reflecting on his experience, further confirms his physical recovery.
Lil Tjay’s story is not just one of survival but also serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking information from reliable sources during crises. As his career continues to flourish post-recovery, it stands as a testament to his determination and strength in overcoming one of life’s most challenging obstacles.