T.I. Denies Helping Jumper Was Publicity Stunt, Date Falls on 3 Yr Anniversary of Gun Bust

They say no good deed goes unpunished, and T.I. is learning that firsthand.

As previously reported, Tip helped talk a possible jumper down from a 22-story building in Atlanta yesterday (October 13)—which coincidently falls on the same date that he was busted three years ago for gun possession. The rap superstar was reportedly leaving his house when he turned on the radio and heard about the incident, which was unfolding on top of the building where a local radio station, V-103, is located. Upon arriving at the scene, the Bankhead-bred wordsmith sent a video message of positive and inspiring words to the 22-year-old. The man ultimately came down and was greeted at the elevator by the rapper.

Soon after news surfaced of tragedy being avoided—and, specifically, T.I.’s hand in the resolution—there were murmurs that it was possibly a publicity stunt. As T.I. is set to appear in court this Friday, the timing seemed opportune, some thought. However, the star of the recent film Takers denied such allegations to bet.com.

“I’m aware some people are saying this was a publicity stunt,” he acknowledged. “That’s preposterous. People refuse to acknowledge that God has a purpose for all people. Fate and destiny, all these things, they put us where we’re supposed to be. This was not a coincidence. I didn’t wake up in the morning knowing this was going to happen. This wasn’t on my list of things to do today.”

“If anything, I’ve known it before, felt it before, but in your darkest hours you lose sight of the fact that you can help people," he continued. "This isn’t out of the norm for me to go out of my way to help people, regardless of my circumstances. That isn’t out of character for me, but I still have a hard time taking any credit for this. It was God’s work, God’s plan, I just happened to show up at the right time.”

T.I. is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow facing a probation violation. —Adam Fleischer