American rapper A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty of firing a gun at his former friend, Terell Ephron a.k.a A$AP Relli.
The jury’s decision was met with loud cheers and applause, as the Grammy-nominated star breathed a sigh of relief, hugging his family and longtime partner Rihanna.
The case, which began with accusations that A$AP Rocky, legally known as Rakim Mayers, shot at Ephron during a heated argument in Hollywood in November 2021, carried severe consequences—up to 24 years in prison.
But after emotional testimony and a fierce courtroom battle, the rapper was acquitted of two felony assault charges.
Amidst tears and shouts of “Thank God for saving my life,” Mayers embraced his family, including his two young sons, who had been a consistent presence throughout the trial.
The controversy, stemming from a dispute between childhood friends turned bitter, was complicated by questions surrounding the gun in question—whether it was real or a prop, as A$AP Rocky’s defense claimed.
A$AP Relli testified that Rocky shot at him, grazing his knuckles.
However, A$AP Twelvyy, a mutual friend, stated that Relli was the aggressor and Rocky fired the gun as a warning, adding the weapon fired blanks.
Surveillance footage partially captured the incident, and investigators found no weapons or ammo at the scene.
Relli later handed over the shell casings he claimed to have found as the defense painted Relli as motivated by jealousy and financial gain.
Mr Mayers and Mr Ephron have known each other since high school in New York and were part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. Their friendship cooled as A$AP Rocky’s career took off.
Now, with the legal battle behind him, A$AP Rocky looks ahead to new ventures, including his highly anticipated solo album and a starring role in Spike Lee’s upcoming film.
Watch how this explosive courtroom drama unfolds and what’s next for the artist who has faced the ultimate test of both public and personal stakes.
