A 33-year-old man was killed and three other people – including rapper Troy Ave — wounded when gunfire erupted shortly before the start of a concert by rapper T.I. at Irving Plaza Wednesday night, sources said.
The carnage began in the green room of the Union Square venue at about 10 p.m. while the opening act — rappers Maino and Uncle Murda — were performing, according to law-enforcement sources.The gunplay then spilled into the area near the stage, causing panic among more than 1,000 rap fans packed into the music hall.
“There were people blocking each other using each other as shields,” said Kirk Elphage, who was on the scene. “I was in the front of the stage . . . I was just trying to find an exit to get the hell out.”
Among the victims was the acclaimed Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave, whose real name is Roland Collins, 30, the first person shot, a source said.
He was hit in the leg as he entered the green room and went by himself to NYU Langone Medical Center, where he was in stable condition, sources said.
