FBI releases photos tied to Offset shooting at South Florida casino hoping to secure new information
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Miami is seeking information regarding the shooting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood earlier this month that left Atlanta rapper Offset injured, and released new photos showing vehicles and people involved in the incident.
According to the FBI, a large group of people assaulted Offset, and one of them produced a handgun and fired a single shot, which hit Offset.
In addition, the FBI said that the people then tried to steal Offset's watch, but were unsuccessful.
After the shooting, the FBI said the people fled the scene in two Chevrolet SUVs, one of which was a matte gray Tahoe and the other was a black Suburban.
The FBI said that the black Suburban fled the scene toward Hollywood, and the Tahoe fled toward Miami.
Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Stuart Kaplan says investigators are ramping up efforts in the shooting using both strategy and technology to move the case forward.
Kaplan says the release of images is a calculated step, explaining, "We want to see whether or not certain individuals start to utilize, for example, digital devices and texting or cellular phone calls," he said.
Meanwhile, Lil Tjay, whose real name is Tione Merritt, was previously arrested by Seminole Police, accused of ordering his entourage to attack Offset. He was charged with disorderly conduct and later released.
Kaplan notes that this does not mean the case is over, saying, "There are often times people are detained or apprehended, let go, and then subsequently additional information is developed and that person, while released, could be rearrested."
Kaplan says tools like facial recognition and license plate readers will be key, adding, "I think it's more of trying to locate these individuals than an attempt at trying to identify these individuals."
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or click here.
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, a federally recognized tribe.
The FBI said that crimes committed on Native American land are subject to federal investigation.