Troy Ave, who is still recovering from accidentally shooting himself in the leg after Wednesday’s (May 25) melee at Irving Plaza, was wheeled into a Manhattan courtroom Memorial Day where he sat before a judge and alleged he was the victim.
Ave, real name Roland Collins, faces several charges including attempted murder, and potentially murder following the results of a ballistics test. The 33-year-old Major Without A Deal rapper was held without bail.
According to prosecutors, Ave fired off five shots into a second-floor green room at the Union Square concert venue where T.I. was scheduled to headline.
“This defendant is on video coming out of the VIP room where the individuals were shot,” said Assistant District Attorney Christine Keenan. “He had the gun in his hand and was seen firing that gun in the direction of fleeing patrons.”
Keenan said law enforcement searched the van Collins was in, and found three guns. Ballistics tests confirmed one of them was used at Irving Plaza.
Collins’ attorneys John Stella and Scott Leemon refuted Keenan’s claims, saying the Brownsville, Brooklyn rapper isn’t known for making trouble.
“What really happened here is Mr. Collins here is the real victim,” Leemon later said. “The person who was killed at this event, he died a hero. He was his bodyguard. He wasn’t shot by Mr. Collins. He was a lifelong friend.”
Leeman is referring to 30-year-old Ronald McPhatter who was shot in the abdomen and later died at the hospital. Along with Ave, Maino’s girlfriend, Model Maggie Carrie Heckenstall was shot in the leg and another victim who’s name has not be released to the press.