A chilling video has captured the moment a gunman entered a room at a rap concert in New York City and fired off several rounds, wounding three people in an attack that would later claim a life on Thursday (26 May).
Manhattan police have identified the shooter as up-and-coming Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave, 30. He was charged with attempted murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, police said. It is currently unknown who the rapper is accused of attempting to murder.
Troy Ave, whose real name is Roland Collins, was arrested at a nearby hospital after also accidentally shooting himself in the leg, sources told the New York Daily News.
The shooting was apparently triggered by a fight in the VIP green room during a concert featuring rapper TI, and involved rival Brooklyn rapper Maino and Troy Aves crew. Maino had just left the stage at the Irving Plaza concert hall near Union Square in Manhattan Wednesday night 25 May. Rapper TI, the headliner, was about to perform.
Pandemonium and screams erupted as panicked fans attempted to flee the venue as shots rang out.
Ronald (Edgar) McPhatter was shot in the abomen. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital later that night. A man and a woman were also shot, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
The video shows McPhatter entering the green room behind Troy Ave and then running past him as the gunman fires. McPhatters mother told the News that her son and Troy Ave were friends, indicating that McPhatters fatal shooting was an accident.
McPhatter had a pending charge for attempted murder linked to a shooting at a Manhattan bar late in 2015, the News reported.
Rapper TI issued a statement decrying the violence at the concert.
My heart is heavy today, he said in a statement. Our music is intended to save lives, like it has mine and many others. My heartfelt condolences to the family that suffered the loss, and my prayers are with all those injured.
