LOS ANGELES, CA – Hip-hop star A$AP Rocky was found not guilty on Tuesday of felony assault charges tied to a 2021 shooting incident in Hollywood, where he was accused of firing a weapon at former friend and music collaborator A$AP Relli.
The courtroom erupted in cheers as the verdict was read, with A$AP Rocky—whose real name is Rakim Mayers—immediately embracing his family and loved ones. Among those present was his partner, pop icon Rihanna, who attended the trial in support.
“Thank y’all for saving my life. Thank you. Y’all made the right decision,” Mayers told the jurors as they exited the courtroom.
The Charges and the Trial
The case centered around an alleged confrontation between Mayers and Terrell Ephron, known professionally as A$AP Relli, both longtime friends and members of the Harlem-based rap collective A$AP Mob.
Mayers was officially charged on August 15, 2022, with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, accused of firing a handgun in Relli’s direction during the dispute.
Had he been convicted, A$AP Rocky faced up to 24 years in prison.
The trial, which began with jury selection on January 21, featured Ephron as the star witness for the prosecution. He testified that Mayers shot at him during the confrontation, claiming that a bullet grazed his hand.
Mayers, however, pleaded not guilty and chose not to take the witness stand during the trial.
The Disputed Weapon and Defense Strategy
A central element of the case was the firearm allegedly used in the incident—a gun that was never recovered by authorities.
Prosecutors argued that the gun was real and that Mayers had intentionally fired it at Ephron. In contrast, Mayers’ defense team maintained that the weapon was merely a “prop gun” used for personal security purposes.
Ahead of jury selection, prosecutors had offered Mayers a plea deal that included a 180-day jail sentence. However, Mayers declined the offer.
“Yes, he was offered a plea deal but is not interested because he is actually innocent,” said Mayers’ attorney, Joe Tacopina, in a statement to media.
Related: A$AP Rocky’s Defense Fights Back in LA Trial Over 2021 Shooting
A Triumphant End for A$AP Rocky
The jury—comprised of seven women and five men—began deliberations on Tuesday morning before swiftly reaching a not-guilty verdict.
The decision marks the end of a high-profile case that drew significant media attention, fueled by the involvement of A-list celebrities and the complex dynamics within the A$AP Mob collective.
As A$AP Rocky left the courthouse hand-in-hand with Rihanna, fans gathered outside cheered, celebrating the rapper’s acquittal.
With the legal battle behind him, A$AP Rocky is expected to return to his music career, with new projects rumored to be on the horizon.
