Feb
A$AP Rocky Acquitted in Felony Shooting Trial
The hip-hop star was accused of firing a gun at a former friend during a 2021 dispute and faced up to 24 years in prison.
A$AP Rocky, the renowned rapper charged with firing a handgun at a former friend during a 2021 altercation in Hollywood, has been found not guilty in his felony assault trial.
A Los Angeles jury reached a unanimous verdict after three hours of deliberation on Tuesday, following a three-week trial that concluded with closing arguments on Friday.
The Grammy-nominated artist, fashion entrepreneur, and longtime partner to Rihanna, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was arrested after a confrontation with Terrell “A$AP Relli” Ephron on November 6, 2021. Rocky, 36, was accused of firing a handgun twice toward Relli during the incident and was charged with two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm in August 2022.
Rocky pleaded not guilty and faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted, although prosecutors sought an eight-year sentence.
In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly after the verdict was announced, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said, “While today’s verdict is not the outcome we sought, we respect the jury’s decision and the integrity of our justice system. Our office remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law, no matter their status or influence. Fame does not place anyone above the law, and we will not waver in our pursuit of justice for victims and the community.”
Following the reading of the verdict, cheers erupted from Rocky’s supporters in the courtroom. Rocky rushed over to embrace some of them before hugging his attorneys.
Both Rocky and Relli were members of the New York-based A$AP Mob, a hip-hop collective that also includes artists such as A$AP Ferg and Playboi Carti.
During his testimony in January, Relli claimed he and Rocky had been like brothers “until he got famous.” Relli testified that after overhearing Rocky insult him over speakerphone to mutual friends, they agreed to meet. “I had kind of an idea he wanted to fight or something,” Relli said.
Relli further claimed that during a heated verbal exchange, Rocky pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at his head and stomach. Prosecutors argued that Rocky fired two shots, one of which grazed Relli’s knuckles. The defense contended that Relli initiated the confrontation and that Rocky acted in self-defense, adding that the gun had been taken from a music video set and was loaded with blanks.
Despite being a key element in the case, the gun was never recovered by authorities.
The trial drew significant attention, partly due to Rihanna’s consistent presence in the courtroom. The pop star also brought their two children, RZA, 2, and Riot, 1, to witness the closing arguments.
This is Rocky’s second high-profile trial in recent years. In 2019, he was arrested in Sweden and charged with assaulting a 19-year-old man. He was released from Swedish custody to await the verdict at home—a decision supported by then-President Donald Trump—and was eventually found guilty, though he served no additional time.
In the Los Angeles trial, Rocky rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 180-day jail sentence.
Joe Tacopina, Rocky’s lead attorney, said at the time, “Yes, he was offered a plea deal but is not interested because he is actually innocent.”
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