Read Ric Flair’s Powerful Message to Offset After Florida Shooting
Ric Flair is rallying around Offset after the rapper was shot on Monday, April 6, outside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The wrestling icon, who has maintained a close friendship with the former Migos star for years, responded publicly after learning that Offset had been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to TMZ, Offset, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital after the shooting, which happened near the casino’s valet area shortly after 7 p.m. According to police, officers arrived immediately and quickly secured the scene. A spokesperson for Offset later confirmed that the rapper was in stable condition and “being closely monitored.”
Flair turned to social media with a message that reflected just how close the two have become over the years. “Prayers For Offset!” Flair wrote. “Stay Strong! Thank You So Much For All You Have Done For My Career!”
Offset’s admiration for Flair has long been public. In 2018, Offset and Metro Boomin released “Ric Flair Drip,” a song that became one of the biggest hits of Offset’s solo career. The track cracked the top 10 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart and was later certified six times platinum.
Their friendship has extended well beyond music. Flair appeared in the video for “Ric Flair Drip,” and later joined Offset for a performance of the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The pair also appeared together on WWE SmackDown in 2019. Offset even gifted Flair a custom chain inspired by the wrestling legend.
The shooting followed an altercation at the casino earlier in the evening. Seminole Police confirmed that rapper Lil Tjay, whose real name is Tione Merritt, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license. Authorities have not linked him to the shooting itself.
His attorney, Dawn M. Florio, pushed back against online rumors, saying, “Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting.” She added that reports suggesting otherwise were false.
Police said two people were detained after the incident, though only Merritt has been charged so far. Investigators are still working to identify others who may have been involved.