American singer and rapper Rod Wave found himself in legal trouble after being arrested for possession of a firearm in Manatee County, Florida. The arrest, which occurred on Wednesday, sent shockwaves through the music industry, especially as it coincided with allegations linking Rod Wave to a gang-related shooting that resulted in injuries to four bystanders outside a sports bar in St. Petersburg.
Details emerged during a press conference hosted by the St. Petersburg Police Department, shedding light on the events leading up to Rod Wave’s arrest. According to authorities, Rod Wave was allegedly connected to the incident at Sonic Sports Bar on Sunday, March 31, where four individuals were injured in a gang-related shooting. St. Petersburg Police Chief Mike Kovacsev disclosed that three individuals apprehended in connection with the shooting, namely Christopher Atkins, Keith Westby, and Kevontre Wesby, are allegedly affiliated with the Young Gangsters gang. Additionally, two more suspects are reportedly in the process of being apprehended.
However, Rod Wave’s legal team, comprised of attorneys Bradford Cohen and Mark Rankin, vehemently denied the allegations against the rapper. In a statement released via Instagram, the attorneys asserted that Rod Wave was “arrested and detained with absolutely no evidence of wrongdoing.” They further refuted claims of firearm possession, insisting that their client was innocent of the charges leveled against him.