Shyne, the rapper turned politician, has broken his silence on the accusations surrounding the notorious 1999 nightclub shooting that led to his imprisonment. This comes after victim Natalia Reuben claimed that it was Diddy, not Shyne, who fired the shots.
Speaking at a news conference in his home country of Belize, Shyne expressed his reaction to Reuben’s recent revelation. He acknowledged that hearing the victim’s claim reopened old wounds and highlighted the ongoing speculation surrounding the incident.
“It opens wounds when you hear the victim saying it was Diddy that shot her. That is what is most remarkable.”
Addressing the allegations, Shyne referred to producer Lil Rod’s sexual assault lawsuit against Diddy, which included claims of bribery involving witnesses and jurors in the criminal case. He emphasized the impact of such accusations on his own legal battles and personal life, stating that they reopened past traumas.
“I’ve been saying this all along. Everyone knew all along that I was the fall guy, but my political enemies and detractors tried to make me into this criminal, but everyone knew that I was a young kid that took the fall.”
“I’m just saying that I maintained my innocence all this time. I said that I was defending myself. I didn’t get into who did what. But the victim is telling you who did what.”
Throughout the conference, Shyne maintained his innocence, reiterating that he had always asserted his role as a fall guy in the incident. He emphasized the significance of Reuben’s testimony, suggesting that her statements align with his version of events.
However, when pressed on whether Reuben’s claim about Diddy’s involvement was accurate, Shyne refrained from providing a direct response. Instead, he expressed relief that the truth was coming to light and reiterated his innocence in the shooting.
The 1999 nightclub shooting at Club New York remains a contentious issue in hip-hop history. Following an altercation, shots were fired, resulting in injuries to bystanders. Both Shyne and Diddy were arrested in connection with the incident, with Shyne ultimately receiving a 10-year prison sentence.
Reuben’s recent comments, made nearly 25 years after the shooting, have reignited discussions surrounding the case. In a video posted on social media, she accused Diddy of being the gunman, alleging that he paid off individuals to conceal evidence.
As the controversy surrounding the 1999 Club New York shooting continues to unfold, Shyne’s response to Reuben’s allegations adds a new dimension to the longstanding legal saga, shedding light on the complexities of the case and its enduring impact on those involved.