Following the arrest of podcaster Taxstone in connection to last year's shooting at Irving Plaza, Troy Ave's lawyer has issued a statement maintaining the rapper's innocence. Following the shooting, the rapper was arraigned on charges including attempted murder after footage showed him participating in the shoot-out. Taxstone's arrest supports what Troy and his team have said all along—that he was acting in self-defense that night.

“I view the charges brought today before the SDNY as a positive step in the direction of true justice for what occurred at Irving Plaza that night,” Troy's lawyer, John B. Stella said.

The shoot-out left Troy's associate Ronald "Banga" McPhatter dead, and though no one has been charged in the murder, Assistant District Attorney Hagan Scotten repeatedly referred to Tax as pulling the trigger in court this week. The weapon, found in a hidden compartment in the van that took Troy to the hospital, as well had traces of the podcaster's DNA on the base. Investigators say that Tax can be seen on surveillance video leaving the scene shortly after the shoot-out began.

“As we have said since May 25, 2016, Roland Collins (Troy Ave) did not enter Irving Plaza with a handgun the night of the T.I. concert. He was not responsible for the four shots fired inside the green room that took the life of his dear friend, [Ronald] McPhatter, and caused injury to him and two other innocent bystanders," Stella's statement reads.

For more on the arrest, statement and implications for Troy, visit DNA info.

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