Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine broke his silence about his “cowardly” hit at the gym for the first time on Friday – a day after it was announced the suspects had been arrested.
The 26-year-old rapper (born Daniel Hernandez) was attacked by a group of men in the sauna of an LA Fitness in South Florida last week.
“First time addressing the situation,” he wrote on Instagram over stunning video of his attack. “I’ve been walking around without security for 2 years. I’m not saying I endorse that BUT now you see I’ve really never hidden from anything.
He explained, “If you’ve ever crossed my path or ever come to my house (you girls know who you are), you can tell the world, ‘Danny drives his own cars and is single.’
He further remarked, “You know how many of you in real life have seen me alone in gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, etc.”
Shooting back: Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine broke his silence about his “cowardly” hit at the gym for the first time after the suspects were arrested
Assault: The 26-year-old rapper (born Daniel Hernandez) was assaulted by a group of men in the sauna of an LA Fitness in South Florida last week
“When did that ever become a W???”: “First addressing the situation,” he wrote on Instagram this Friday over stunning video of his attack
Tekashi 6ix9ine argued, “What happened here was nothing but a coward anyway. I’m not mad that this happened.’
However, he conceded: “There are no rules on the street, so I can’t say they were wrong. Obviously it wasn’t fair, but again there are no rules on the street.’
He added cryptically: “Imagine that you are unrelated to a situation and feel obligated to make it your business. (Very strange) ‘I’m glad I’m still here.’
The rap star concluded, “And I want to say that I love my fans. Thank you very much. PS: I never knew that we respect jumping people. When did that ever become a W???’
His statement came a day after it was revealed that the men who assaulted him more than a week ago are now behind bars.
The The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office announced to TMZ that they had arrested Rafael Medina, Jr., 43, Octavious Medina, 23, and Anthony Maldonado, 25, for the assault.
There’s no indication if the men who assaulted him have any ties to the New York City gang the rapper infected.
The three attackers were arrested on Thursday evening and also taken to the county jail.
Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is likely to be able to rest a little more calmly on Thursday with the news that the men who assaulted him — including Rafael Medina, Jr. (pictured left) and Octavious Medina (pictured right) — more than a week ago are now behind sit bars
The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office announced to TMZ that they had arrested Rafael Medina, Jr., 43, Octavious Medina, 23, and Anthony Maldonado (pictured), 25, for the assault
The attack happened on March 21, with the attackers posting video of the incident on social media.
“Not in the south you rat b***h got his ass,” the video was captioned by one of the attackers.
The rapper was kicked and punched by several men in the video, leaving him bloody and bruised.
Tekashi reportedly was a regular at the South Florida gym and never caused problems with others. He often posted pictures with fans when he was recognized.
Another report shortly after the incident said that LA Fitness employees ended up locking the rapper in a “safe room” after the attack.
He was later taken to the hospital with injuries to his face, back, ribs and jaw.
The incident came five years after he testified in federal court against the Bloods gang and fellow rapper Cardi B.
He faced a minimum sentence of 47 years and a maximum of life in prison for racketeering, possession of weapons, armed robbery and attempted murder before testifying against his co-defendants.
Arrested: The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office announced to TMZ that they have arrested Rafael Medina, Jr., Octavious Medina and Anthony Maldonado in connection with the assault
Rat: “Not in the south you rat b***h got his ass,” the video was captioned by one of the attackers
Regular: Tekashi reportedly was a regular at the South Florida gym and never caused problems with others. He often posted pictures with fans when he was recognized
Tekashi eventually served two years in prison, although he was released in April 2020 and ordered to serve out the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Since his release, he has done little to keep a low profile, even showing off heaps of cash on Instagram.
He also made headlines in August 2022 when his longtime girlfriend Rachel Wattley was arrested in Miami after she punched him multiple times at Miami hotspot Kiki on the River.
The rapper was also kicked out of Miami’s LoanDepot Park for creating a scene while “heavily drunk,” a source told Page Six.
“He was heavily intoxicated and disrupted the experience of other guests,” the source said. “He was drunk, he was drunk and he was out of control.
There were a lot of families there last night and he was harassing people.’
He had participated in the World Baseball Classic ball game between Puerto Rico and Mexico.
He continues to brag about money and women on social media, where he has more than 24 million followers, and still makes music.
Stacks: Since his release, he’s done little to keep a low profile, even showing off heaps of cash on Instagram
Kicked out: The rapper was also kicked out of Miami’s LoanDepot Park for creating a scene while “heavily drunk,” a source told Page Six