Rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of charges related to firing a gun at a former friend during an argument. A Los Angeles jury found the musician, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, not guilty of two felony assault charges that could have led to up to 24 years in prison.
Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, alleged that the Grammy-nominated star fired shots at him during a confrontation on a Hollywood street on November 6, 2021, grazing his knuckles with one bullet.
Mayers, who also has a fashion career and is in a relationship with pop star Rihanna, denied the accusations, claiming the gun was a prop and suggesting Ephron was motivated by money.
Upon hearing the first not-guilty verdict, the court erupted in cheers, and Mayers rushed to embrace his family, including Rihanna and their two young sons, who had been present throughout the trial. Mayers expressed relief, thanking the jury and stating, “Thank God for saving my life.”
The altercation between Mayers and Ephron occurred outside a Hollywood hotel after a disagreement. Ephron testified that Mayers pulled a gun, threatened his life, and fired multiple shots, though no video evidence corroborated the shooting. The prosecution argued that the weapon was real, while Mayers’s defense maintained it was a harmless prop gun. The firearm has not been recovered.
The trial included emotional moments and tense exchanges, with Ephron’s testimony being a central point of contention. The incident was also marked by unusual courtroom outbursts, including one from Mayers himself during cross-examination.
With this legal matter behind him, A$AP Rocky is preparing for the release of his first solo album in nearly a decade and will co-headline Los Angeles’ Rolling Loud festival in March 2025. He also stars in the upcoming Spike Lee film Highest 2 Lowest, set for release soon.
