Grammy-nominated rapper and fashion mogul A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of felony assault charges in a highly publicised firearm case. The verdict, delivered by a Los Angeles jury, clears the artist—whose real name is Rakim Mayers—of allegations that he fired a gun at former friend Terell Ephron during a street altercation in Hollywood on November 6, 2021.
Jury Acquits A$AP Rocky on Two Felony Charges
The jury’s decision means A$AP Rocky, a longtime partner of global pop icon Rihanna, avoids a potential 24-year prison sentence. Ephron, who also goes by A$AP Relli, claimed that the rapper shot at him, grazing his knuckles. However, Mayers denied the accusations, arguing that the firearm in question was merely a prop and that Ephron was motivated by financial gain.
As the first not-guilty verdict was announced in court, cheers erupted. The rapper immediately leaped over a wooden barrier to embrace his family and Rihanna, who was present with their two young sons, RZA and Riot.
“Thank God for saving my life,” Mayers was heard saying, before expressing gratitude to the jury.
Allegations and Courtroom Drama
The case stemmed from a dispute between the two former friends, who were once part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. According to prosecutors, the argument escalated when Mayers allegedly pulled a firearm, pointed it at Ephron, and threatened to shoot.
“He looked me in my eyes and pointed the gun at me,” Ephron testified in court.
Prosecutors argued that Mayers later fired multiple shots, with one bullet reportedly grazing Ephron’s knuckles. However, the defense maintained that no concrete evidence proved that a real gun was used. Notably, the alleged firearm was never recovered.
Key Evidence and Witness Testimonies
Jurors reviewed surveillance footage capturing parts of the altercation, including audio of gunfire. However, no video directly showed a shooting taking place. Adding to the uncertainty, Ephron delayed reporting the incident by two days and presented shell casings he claimed to have collected from the scene.
Defense attorneys suggested that Ephron fabricated evidence, highlighting inconsistencies in his story.
Courtroom Tensions and Unprecedented Moments
The trial saw intense exchanges, particularly when Ephron took the stand. At one point, he called defense attorney Joe Tacopina “annoying,” prompting a reprimand from the judge. In another dramatic moment, A$AP Rocky himself interrupted proceedings to stop a witness from answering a prosecutor’s question, an uncommon move in a criminal trial.
What’s Next for A$AP Rocky?
With the trial behind him, A$AP Rocky is preparing for a major career resurgence. The rapper is set to release his first solo album in nearly a decade and will co-headline the Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles in March 2025. Additionally, he stars alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest, scheduled for release in the coming months.