Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of DARYL CAMPBELL, a/k/a “Taxstone,” 37, for shooting and killing 33-year-old Ronald “Banga” McPhatter, a bodyguard, during a confrontation at Irving Plaza, and for shooting and seriously injuring three others. On March 23, 2023, a New York State Supreme Court jury found CAMPBELL guilty of one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, two counts of Assault in the First Degree, one count of Assault in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Today, a judge sentenced Campbell to 35 years in prison. 

“Daryl Campbell used a firearm to target his rival, which led to loss of a life and serious injuries to innocent bystanders,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Gun violence cannot be used as a way to address conflict. The toll of guns continues to be staggeringly high and it is horrific that a night out at a concert ended tragically.”  

As proven at trial, CAMPBELL, a hip hop podcast personality, had a longstanding feud with Roland Collins, a/k/a “Troy Ave,” a rap artist, over public comments CAMPBELL previously made about his music and reputation. On May 25, 2016, at approximately 10:00 p.m., CAMPBELL confronted and threatened Collins and his bodyguard, Ronald McPhatter, before Collins’ performance in the green room at Irving Plaza. CAMPBELL pulled out a gun and shot McPhatter in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. CAMPBELL then struggled with Collins for control of the gun and shot Collins in both of his legs. Another man and a woman were also hit with gunshots during the fight.
 
Assistant D.A.s Christine Keenan and Christina Awad (Trial Bureau 40) handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division) with the assistance of Senior Investigative Analyst Holly Burns-LaRiche, Digital Evidence Analyst Mollie Somers and Investigative Analyst Jacob Willebeek-LeMair.

District Attorney Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective John Santiago, Retired Detective Jose Flores, Investigator Jeff Salta, and all of the 13th precinct and the Manhattan South Homicide Squad. He also thanked the SDNY, specifically Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten, for their cooperation and assistance in this case.

Defendant Information:
DARYL CAMPBELL, a/k/a “Taxstone”
Brooklyn, New York

Convicted:

• Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

Sentenced:

• 35 years in state prison, 5 years post-release supervision

###