Troy Ave Caught On Video Firing Gun In Irving Plaza Shooting, Maintains Innocence

Rapper Troy Ave, whose real name is Rolland Collins, was caught on video firing a gun inside Irving Plaza during the deadly shooting last Wednesday. Despite the video footage, Collins is claiming that he is the victim.

Irving Plaza Shooting Video

Collins, an up-and-coming Brooklyn rapper, is shown on the video released by the New York Police Department exiting the VIP room with two other men and firing a gun. He has been charged with attempted murder for the injuries sustained by Maggie Carrie Heckstall and Christopher Vinson. He could soon be charged with murder in the death of his bodyguard Ronald (Edgar) McPhatter.

Collins also suffered a gunshot wound to the leg in the shooting.

“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.”

Collins’ attorney John Stella doesn’t believe the video gives the full picture.

“In the hip hop world, he’s not known as one of these troublemakers. He doesn’t live a gangster rap lifestyle,” Stella said of Collins. “This 11 seconds of video that the NYPD released, it doesn’t say what happened before, it doesn’t say what happened after. The scientific evidence will show he didn’t shoot himself.”

“What really happened here is Mr. Collins here is the real victim,” said another Collins attorney, Scott Leemon. “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.”