Young Thug’s Lawyers Move to Dismiss Lil Wayne Tour Bus Shooting Lawsuit
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The Defense Arguments in the Cobb County Hearing
No one was physically injured during the 2015 incident, but the driver, Alvin Lewis, is seeking punitive damages for severe emotional distress, naming Young Thug (born Jeffery Williams) and Cash Money Records CEO Birdman (born Bryan Williams) as directly responsible. Both defendants deny involvement in the shooting. During Monday’s court appearance, defense attorney Jeffrey Reilly told the court that Lewis lacks direct evidence linking either rapper to the attack and challenged the introduction of gang-related evidence and artist disputes, stating that Georgia law does not support such a broad brush of liability, as reported by Hot 97.
Conflicting Claims Over the Tour Bus Attack
Lewis’s attorney, Jeffrey Gewirtz, offered a contrasting narrative to the court. Gewirtz argued that Young Thug and Birdman paid Jimmy Winfrey, known as Peewee Roscoe, to carry out the attack. Atlanta police previously located Winfrey’s white Chevrolet Camaro and recovered an assault rifle following the incident. Winfrey pleaded guilty to gang charges in 2018, though the Georgia Supreme Court later overturned that conviction after finding the plea involuntary. In December 2024, Winfrey accepted a plea settlement in the YSL racketeering case, admitting guilt to racketeering, firearm, and narcotics counts, and received a sentence of time served, as detailed by Entertainer.news.
To support claims of involvement, Gewirtz pointed to recorded jail phone calls between Young Thug and Winfrey, arguing the conversations showed Winfrey sought street credibility and avoided being labeled a rat. Conversely, defense attorney Jeffrey Reilly explained that a $25,000 financial contribution Young Thug made toward Winfrey’s legal fees was simply an act of generosity rooted in a childhood friendship, denying that Winfrey ever worked for either rapper or their record labels. The courtroom arguments also revisited prior tensions between Lil Wayne and Birdman, including Wayne’s past legal battles against Cash Money Records and his objections to Young Thug’s proposed “Barter VI” title, alongside opposing claims regarding whether Young Thug posted threats against Wayne or, alternatively, considered him an idol.
Next Steps in the Civil Proceeding
Judge Brewton heard challenges regarding Lewis’s evidence, including arguments concerning hearsay and expert testimony. The Cobb County Chief Judge concluded the hearing by stating he would issue a ruling in a timely manner on whether the lawsuit will proceed further to trial.
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