Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced that 27-year-old Mohamed Konate was arrested. Mohamed Konate Wednesday after he allegedly shot Lil Tjay several times while trying to rob a shopping center. Rapper Tjay was allegedly injured, while one of his friends, Antoine Boyd, was shot once.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Edgewater Police Department say Konate attempted to rob Tjay, Boyd, and Jeffrey Valdez shortly after midnight in Edgewater. He is now facing three counts of attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, and several weapons-related charges.
Valdez and Boyd were also arrested and charged with second-degree possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say the two are being held in Bergen County Jail until their first appearance in court. Konate is reportedly awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ that the rapper, whose legal name is Tione Merritt, has undergone emergency surgery and appears to be doing well; however, the extent of his injuries and his current condition could not be immediately ascertained.
Shortly before the shoot, Tjay posted the following “PSA” on his Instagram Stories: “Just because you’ve been around a person doesn’t make you entitled to the fruits of that persons labor. Envy Is At An All Time High Be Safe Outchea.”
Lil TJay’s last Instagram story is trending… people think he got set up by someone close to him. pic.twitter.com/h0sEvcgGbz
— Rap Updates Tv (@RapUpdatesTv) June 22, 2022
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Lil Tjay was allegedly shot dead overnight in the New Jersey area
According to TMZ, which cited “law enforcement sources”, 21-year-old Tjay had to undergo emergency surgery after the alleged shooting. The report alleges that the incident involved a shooting at a local Chipotle as well as another at a gas station. While the article mentions another victim, no additional information was made public at the time of writing.
Although the names were not released. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit and the Edgewater Police Department shared a brief statement Wednesday morning that appears to refer to the same incident. At the time, it was said that “more details” would be shared soon.
#BCPONJ Major Crimes Unit and Edgewater PD are investigating a shooting with 2 victims around midnight on 6/22 at 14 The Promenade in Edgewater. More details to follow. @EdgewaterPolice
— BCPONJ (@BCPONJ) June 22, 2022
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office tweeted just before 1 p.m. “According to initial investigation in Edgewater NJ shooting: per initial investigation, does not appear to be random act and one victim upgraded from critical to stable condition. Other admitted to hospital with non-life threatening injuries in good condition.
Update on #BCPONJ & @EdgewaterPolice investigation in Edgewater NJ shooting: per initial investigation, does not appear to be random act and one victim upgraded from critical to stable condition. Other admitted to hospital with non-life threatening injuries in good condition.
— BCPONJ (@BCPONJ) June 22, 2022
In a more detailed release later shared here, Prosecutor Mark Musella said police responded to a 911 call just after midnight at Promenade, where they found a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Another victim, with a gunshot wound, was located at an Exxon station.
For potential suspects, TMZ said Wednesday morning that they have been on a large scale.
