Taxstone Handed Down 35-Year Prison Sentence Over 2016 Irving Plaza Shooting

Taxstone was handed down a 35-year prison sentence Tuesday for his role in the 2016 Irving Plaza shooting that left Troy Ave’s bodyguard dead and several others injured.

The popular podcaster, whose real name is Darryl Campbell, was convicted in March of shooting and killing Ronald “Banga” McPhatter and seriously injuring three others backstage at a concert where Ave was set to take the stage. While a grand jury acquitted him of murder and attempted murder, he was convicted of manslaughter along with three assault charges and weapons charges.

VLOG 1: Just now 35 year sentence for Daryl Campbell aka Taxstone, he blamed it all on Troy Ave after 3 McFadder family members spoke. Longer VLOG 2 and story coming pic.twitter.com/DFRdMFm0m4

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) June 20, 2023

The 2016 shooting stemmed from a longtime feud between Campell and Troy Ave, real name Roland Collins.

On the night of the performance, a physical altercation between the camps of Troy Ave and Taxstone broke out just as Troy Ave was about to take the stage. Amidst the chaos, gunshots rang out, resulting in serious injuries to McPhatter and three others. Troy Ave himself was wounded by a gunshot to his leg, which was determined to be self-inflicted.

Troy Ave was seen on surveillance discharging a firearm, leading to his apprehension at NYU Langone Hospital, where he sought medical treatment. Police discovered the weapon involved in the shooting inside Troy’s vehicle. However, the rapper maintained his innocence, asserting that he acted in self-defense.

In January 2017, Taxstone was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as receipt of a firearm in interstate commerce, in connection with the shooting. Allegedly, Taxstone’s DNA was found on the semi-automatic handgun used in the fatal incident.

From then on out, Taxstone and Troy Ave engaged in a public feud on social media, exchanging verbal attacks. In March, Troy Ave testified during the trial that the two struggled over the gun that was used in the fatal shooting. He later dropped a diss track titled “Black Church,” aimed at Tax where he talked about his life after taking the stand.

At Tuesday’s sentencing, Inner City Press Reporter Matthew Russell Lee reported that Campbell said in court in his defense that Troy Ave instigated a confrontation that resulted in the shooting. He maintained that he only pulled out the gun because he felt threatened.