New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd is recovering after being shot outside a Midtown Manhattan restaurant on Nov. 16, an incident that has now led to the arrest of rising New York drill rapper TBO ZAY (born Zion Pendergrass).
According to NYPD officials, Boyd was leaving the popular Asian fusion spot Sei Less shortly after 2 a.m. when a verbal dispute broke out between his group and another set of men on the sidewalk. The encounter escalated, and police say Pendergrass pulled a handgun and fired two shots, striking the 28-year-old NFL player once in the abdomen. Boyd was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition, later stabilizing after multiple procedures.
Boyd, who signed with the Jets earlier this year, has since been released from the hospital and is continuing to recover. He made a brief visit to the team facility in early December.
Following a nearly month-long search, U.S. Marshals arrested Pendergrass on Dec. 9 in Amherst, N.Y., after authorities say he fled the city and attempted to evade capture by cutting his hair and ditching his phone. He was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. Pendergrass is being held without bail.
The 22-year-old rapper, known locally as TBO ZAY, has been gaining traction in New York’s drill scene with a series of online releases. His name drew additional attention after fans resurfaced lyrics from his August track “Aim Game,” where he raps about having “accurate aim” — a line now being widely circulated on social media following his arrest.
The incident picked up viral momentum after hip-hop media and X, sparking renewed debate about drill music and its ties to real-life violence. Fans and commenters weighed in with mixed reactions, with some criticizing the genre and others calling the narrative unfair.
Police say the investigation remains active, including efforts to identify other individuals seen fleeing the scene in separate vehicles. Boyd’s timeline for returning to the field has not been determined.
