A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty of firing a gun at his former friend. The Los Angeles jury cleared him of two serious felony assault charges that could have led to 24 years behind bars.
The case centered around an incident that took place on November 6, 2021. Terell Ephron, who is known as A$AP Relli, claimed that Rocky shot at him during a heated argument on the streets of Hollywood, injuring his knuckles.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, denied the accusations. He argued that the gun was a prop and suggested that Ephron was only looking to make money from the situation.
When the not-guilty verdict was announced, the court erupted with cheers and applause. Rocky immediately rushed to embrace his family and partner, Rihanna, who was present in the courtroom. His emotional reaction was clear as tears filled his eyes during the second verdict announcement.
After the verdict, Rocky expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank God for saving my life,” and thanked the jury members. The rapper faced serious allegations after a fallout with Ephron, a friend since high school, who also was part of the A$AP Mob collective.
The conflict escalated when, according to Ephron, Rocky pulled out a gun and threatened him, saying, “I go kill you right now.” Ephron further testified about a confrontation that ended with shots being fired, one of which allegedly hit his hand.
Disputes during the trial included whether the gun was real or just a harmless prop. The firearm was never recovered, and no clear evidence proved Rocky’s guilt. Surveillance footage captured parts of the incident, but it did not show any actual shooting.
Ephron reported the incident to the police two days later, claiming to have picked up shell casings from the scene, but law enforcement didn’t find any when they arrived. They raised doubts about Ephron’s account since he did not seek medical treatment in Los Angeles and only did so later after returning to New York.
Rocky’s attorneys hinted that Ephron might have planted the evidence to frame him. As the trial progressed, tensions occasionally flared. Ephron once described Rocky’s attorney as “annoying,” bringing a moment of tension to the courtroom.
One notable moment of the trial involved Rocky interrupting the proceedings to prevent a witness from answering a prosecutor’s question, something that is highly unusual in a courtroom setting.
As for Rocky’s future, he’s gearing up to release his first solo album in almost ten years and is set to perform at the Los Angeles Rolling Loud festival in March 2025. This comes alongside his involvement in the 2025 Met Gala, where he will co-chair the event with prominent figures such as Anna Wintour and LeBron James.
Additonally, he stars in Spike Lee’s upcoming film “Highest 2 Lowest,” which is scheduled for a summer release. Throughout the trial, Rihanna frequently attended, showing her support for the rapper during this challenging time.