Officer Suffers Permanent Injury in Scuffle with Lil Tjay
A police officer off-duty while working security at Madison Square Garden is claiming “permanent” spinal cord damage following an altercation with rapper Lil Tjay, according to a new lawsuit.
Officer John Przybyszewski of the New York City Police Department was present at a boxing match at the Hulu Theater when Bronx native Lil Tjay, whose real name is Tione Jaden Merritt, allegedly sparked a fight with his group of friends and bodyguards. This incident is detailed in court documents filed on Monday.
“It’s affected not just my body, but the way I live,” Przybyszewski shared, noting he is dealing with “daily neck and back pain.”
During a championship fight last February between Keyshawn Davis and Dennis Belinczyk, Tjay reportedly became “erratic and combative” towards staff and other attendees. MSG officials instructed the off-duty officer to escort him from the venue, as noted in the lawsuit.
Przybyszewski, one of only two officers on duty that night, approached Merritt to request his departure. However, the situation escalated quickly, with Tjay allegedly shouting and pushing the officer before being tackled by his entourage, according to the claims.
Multiple individuals fell onto the guards amidst the chaos, resulting in Przybyszewski experiencing “severe pain,” according to the complaint.
At one point, the rapper reportedly spat in the face of an MSG employee, an act captured on video and included in the lawsuit.
Following the incident, Przybyszewski was taken to New York University Tisch Hospital, where he was diagnosed with serious cervical spine injuries, including two lumbar disk issues.
“I love my job as a police officer, but this injury has really changed the path of my future,” Przybyszewski stated, reflecting on his career that began in 2018. “I may never know my full potential.”
The lawsuit claims that these “permanent” injuries were directly caused by “severe staffing shortages,” holding MSG and the event promoter accountable for negligence and accusing Merritt of assault and battery.
Documents reveal that MSG provided only two security guards for a crowded event when at least eight were deemed necessary, given the circumstances that suggested a potentially chaotic situation.
Przybyszewski has filed a complaint with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office regarding the incident, but the office recently opted not to pursue the case, with no additional information provided in response to inquiries.
His attorney, John Scola, described Przybyszewski as a dedicated officer who took on extra work to support himself. “The defendants’ reckless actions not only caused him injury but also significantly impacted his career and everyday life,” Scola added.
A representative for MSG mentioned they were “just made aware” of the lawsuit and chose not to comment further.
This is not the first legal issue for Merritt; in 2023, he faced weapons charges in the Bronx, and the previous year he was shot multiple times in New Jersey.
Merritt’s attorney has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the lawsuit.
