Rakim Athelaston Mayers, also known professionally as A$AP Rocky, is an American rapper. He joined the hip-hop group ASAP Mob to start his musical career. He grew up loving the Diplomats, a rap trio from Harlem.
The rapper was charged with two felony assaults that carried a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison. He was charged with pointing a handgun at Terell Ephron, a former friend, after a furious argument. He then fired twice at Ephron during another fight. Ephron claimed that he was slightly hurt when a bullet touched his knuckles.
ASAP Rocky Found Not Guilty
A$AP Rocky was found not guilty by a California jury on two criminal counts of assault with an automatic weapon. The charges arise from a gunfight that occurred in Los Angeles in 2021 with a former buddy.
According to his attorney, he claimed the weapon was a toy gun that only shot blanks. A$AP Rocky did not give a statement throughout the proceeding. The hip-hop musician has been Rihanna's long-time partner. Rihanna was in the courtroom when the decision was read on Tuesday.
After the decision was delivered, the rapper thanked the jury members and said, “Thank y'all for saving my life." Rocky's lawyers insisted that he kept the gun for protection after obtaining it from a music video shoot.
Rocky Shooting Case Details
The lawsuit focused on a shooting in 2021 that included Rocky and his high school classmate, A$AP Relli. The two are members of the A$AP Mob, a creative group they started as teenagers in New York.
Relli testified that the two men's relationship soured after they got into a fight outside a hotel in Hollywood on November 6, 2021. Relli reported to officers that Rocky reportedly fired bullets at him, causing a bullet to hit his knuckles.
A$AP Twelvyy, a fellow crew member and mutual contact, said during the trial that Rocky shot the gun as an alert and that Relli was the opponent. Additionally, according to Twelvyy's testimony, Rocky had been holding a starter pistol for security for months, and the weapon was firing blanks.
Rihanna’s Reaction on This
After the release of A$AP Rocky, Rihanna conveyed her gratitude and confidence. She expressed her belief that the verdict was the result of the Holy Spirit in a post in response to the jury's decision. She wrote on Instagram stories:
“The Glory belongs to God and God alone. Grateful, humbled by his kindness.”
Throughout the case, Rihanna was present at multiple court appearances. However, the prosecutors were worried about her looks, arguing that they could influence the jury. The district attorney highlighted during a hearing that the jury's decision should not be influenced by the rapper and singer's fame or parental circumstances.