Birdman can cross one more legal headache off his list. The Cash Money Records co-founder has been dismissed from a decade-old lawsuit filed by a former Lil Wayne tour bus driver over the infamous 2015 shooting that left two tour buses riddled with bullets outside Atlanta.
Alvin Lewis, who was driving one of Lil Wayne’s tour buses at the time, filed suit against Birdman and Cash Money Records, alleging assault and battery, breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress. But according to TMZ, a judge ruled Tuesday that Birdman and his record label should be dismissed from the case.
The judge reportedly determined that Birdman was not in the same state when the shooting occurred and that there was insufficient evidence connecting him to the incident. The ruling also noted that Lewis was never struck by a bullet or shrapnel during the attack.
That doesn’t mean Lewis walked away unscathed, at least according to his claims. The former driver has maintained that the incident caused him emotional distress and resulted in lost income.
Birdman, however, won’t have to answer for those allegations in this particular lawsuit. And after roughly 10 years of litigation, that’s a pretty significant legal victory for the rap executive.
The lawsuit also involved rapper Young Thug and Jimmy “PeeWee Roscoe” Winfrey, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation for his role in the shooting.
The incident happened April 26, 2015, after Lil Wayne performed at Atlanta’s Compound nightclub. Two tour buses traveling along Interstate 285 were fired upon multiple times. Although nobody was physically injured, the shooting became a major hip-hop story because of the high-profile names involved and the questions surrounding who was responsible.
Winfrey was ultimately convicted in connection with the shooting, while Young Thug’s alleged involvement also became part of the broader legal controversy.
Lewis’ lawsuit is not entirely over, despite Tuesday’s ruling. The case can continue against the remaining defendants, but Birdman and Cash Money Records are officially out of this particular legal fight.
For the man who helped build one of hip-hop’s most recognizable record labels, it’s one less courtroom appearance to worry about.