Taxstone was arrested on Monday (Jan. 16) on federal weapons possession in connection with the shooting that happened at New York’s Irving Plaza venue last year. Now comes news that the 31-year-old podcaster’s DNA was found on the gun used in the shooting.
According to New York Times, Taxstone’s DNA was found on the trigger, hand grip and magazine of a 9-millimeter Kel-Tec semi-automatic handgun that was used in the shooting in the VIP area at Irving Plaza. According to a federal complaint, Taxstone, whose real name is Daryl Campbell, allegedly used the gun before the shooting and videos show him entering the green room before the gunfire and then fleeing.
In front of him was Troy Ave’s bodyguard, Ronald McPhatter, who was fatally shot in the chest in the melee. The complaint also states that a person who is not named, but who appears to be Troy Ave, was holding the Kel-Tec and firing it toward a fleeing Taxstone.
The gun also had his and Troy Ave’s DNA, and it was later found in a van that transported the Brooklyn rapper to the hospital. Troy Ave has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in the case. The BSB Records founder is currently recuperating after being shot on Christmas Day.
Taxstone, who hosts the popular podcast Tax Season, had a growing feud with Troy Ave, often criticizing him and his music as not being authentic. In the past, he has accused Troy Ave of taking the shine away from the now incarcerated rapper Bobby Shmurda.
“I had to, like, be the person to interrupt that. I just feel he’s, like, a fraud rapper, like he never was a drug dealer,” he reportedly said.
Taxstone’s lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, said he could not discuss the case in the media, but says that his client is in good spirits.
“He’s doing as best he can for anybody charged with a federal crime,” he told the NYTimes. “He’s a smart young man, and he’s concerned about his family, like anyone would be.”