New York rapper Troy Ave went viral weeks back, after a video was shared online showing him involved in a shootout…but at the time, fans speculated that the video clip had been falsified.
Now the case has been closed as a representative for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office told TMZ that the alleged incident was “not substantiated,” meaning the incident was, as the new outlet calls it, “a hoax.”
Celebrity chef Geoff Cole shared the now-viral clip and showed Troy Ave stepping out of a Bentley alongside Cole before things quickly took a turn.
1. He rolled the window down while getting out the car so we could hear the song
2. A real robber not getting that close
3. Troy Ave had a direct shot to his back. It’s almost impossible to miss that shotThese dudes are clowns https://t.co/D9Xe2PrXal pic.twitter.com/MDfaW78gQN
— Joseph (@JoJoGrateful) July 16, 2025
A masked man can be seen approaching from behind and lunging at Cole in what appears to be an ambush. Without hesitation, Troy Ave draws a firearm and lets off several rounds, carefully avoiding Cole as he fires. The rapper then chases the would-be assailant down an alley.
In the shared video, Cole thanked Troy Ave for saving his life. The rapper denied he had anything to do with the clip hitting the internet, but his fans do not believe him and feel that it was just a big publicity stunt.