A Staten Island NYPD officer has filed a lawsuit against rapper Lil Tjay, Madison Square Garden and boxing promoter Top Rank, alleging he was seriously injured during a disturbance at the Hulu Theater at MSG last year.
According to reporting by Kyle Lawson of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com, Officer John Przybyszewski claims he was working a paid detail assignment on Feb. 14, 2025, during a boxing event headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Keyshawn Davis and Denys Berinchyk when a confrontation broke out in the stands.
The lawsuit alleges that Lil Tjay, whose legal name is Tione Jayden Merritt, became “volatile and combative” with venue staff and other attendees. Court filings state that Przybyszewski was instructed by MSG staff to remove the rapper from the area. After approaching Merritt and calmly relaying the request, the officer was allegedly pushed, causing him to fall as multiple individuals toppled onto him.
Przybyszewski was transported to NYU Tisch Hospital, where he was diagnosed with cervical spinal injuries, according to the complaint. The lawsuit describes his injuries as “permanent” and life-altering. In comments to the New York Post cited by Lawson, Przybyszewski said he experiences chronic neck and back pain and fears the incident may have affected his long-term career prospects. He joined the NYPD in 2018.
The complaint also alleges that Merritt spat in the face of a staff member during the altercation. A video circulating on social media reportedly shows a confrontation between Merritt and a staff member before he was escorted from his seat.
The lawsuit accuses Merritt of assault and battery and claims MSG and Top Rank were negligent in their security planning. According to the filing, event organizers had determined that eight paid detail officers were necessary but only two were assigned to the venue. The suit alleges the defendants operated the event with significantly fewer security personnel than planned, creating unsafe conditions.
In response, an MSG spokesperson told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com that the company is reviewing the lawsuit but noted that at least 100 security personnel, including paid detail officers, were present at the theater that evening.
As of Tuesday, Merritt did not have an attorney listed in court documents related to the civil case, Lawson reported. The case has been filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.