Rapper A$AP Rocky Acquitted of Gun Assault Charges in LA

Rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of accusations that he fired a gun at a former friend. In Los Angeles, a jury found the performer born Rakim Mayers not guilty of two felony assault charges, each carrying potential sentences of up to 24 years.

Terell Ephron alleged that the Grammy-nominated artist shot at him during a confrontation on a Hollywood street on November 6, 2021, with one bullet grazing his knuckles. A$AP Rocky, who also has a prominent presence in the fashion industry and is famously linked with singer Rihanna, denied the claims, asserting that the gun was merely a stage prop and accusing Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, of seeking financial gain.

Upon the announcement of the first not-guilty verdict, the courtroom erupted with cheers and applause. A$AP Rocky made a beeline for his family and Rihanna, seated behind him, leaping over a barrier to embrace them. Rihanna, who had consistently been in attendance throughout the trial, brought along their sons, two-year-old RZA and one-year-old Riot, for the verdict.

Mayers was visibly emotional, shedding tears as he hugged his legal team when the second not-guilty verdict was revealed. “Thank God for saving my life,” he expressed aloud, offering gratitude to the 12-member jury.

Mayers’ arrest followed a heated dispute with Ephron in Hollywood. The two knew each other from high school days in New York as members of the A$AP Mob hip-hop community, though their friendship cooled as A$AP Rocky’s career began to soar.

Authorities reported that Ephron encountered Mayers on November 6, 2021, near the Hollywood Walk of Fame, following a disagreement the day prior. During the meeting, tension escalated.

According to Ephron’s testimony, Mayers allegedly reached for a gun in his waistband, threatened him, and then began to walk away. As Ephron pursued him shouting, prosecutors claimed Mayers fired several shots, one of which grazed Ephron’s knuckles.

The debate central to the trial was whether the firearm involved was an actual weapon, as alleged by the prosecution and Ephron, or a non-functional prop as the defense argued. The gun remains missing.

Partial surveillance footage shown to the jury captured the incident, including gunfire audio, but lacked visual proof of the alleged shooting. Ephron delayed reporting the event to police for two days and presented shell casings, claiming to have collected them from the scene. However, police found no such evidence during their investigation. Ephron testified that he returned later with his girlfriend to recover the casings, but no surveillance footage supports his return visit. Instead of receiving hospital care in Los Angeles, Ephron sought medical attention only after traveling back to New York.

Mayers’ legal team suggested Ephron may have fabricated evidence, planting shell casings. The trial was tense with emotions, highlighted by Ephron’s exchanges on the witness stand.

At one point, Ephron labeled Mr. Tacopina, Mayers’ lawyer, as “annoying”, inciting a caution from the presiding judge. The case also featured testimony from A$AP Twelvyy, who was questioned about a photo showing a bed with “AWGE” inscribed on it, which prompted a vocal objection from Mayers as the trial progressed.

Outbursts from defendants in court are rare and Mayers’ dramatic interruption during questioning was unprecedented.

The trial saw Rihanna frequently by A$AP Rocky’s side, joining his family in the courtroom. Moving forward, the rapper plans to release his first solo album in almost ten years and will headline Los Angeles’ Rolling Loud festival in March 2025. Additionally, Mayers will appear alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s film Highest 2 Lowest set to debut soon.