A$AP Rocky not guilty of firearm assault on LA street

A$AP Rocky, the well-known rapper, has been declared not guilty of charges related to a firearm assault against a former friend. This verdict was reached by a jury in Los Angeles, and it was a significant moment for the musician, whose real name is Rakim Mayers. He faced two serious felony assault charges that could have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence of up to 24 years. The case stemmed from an incident that occurred on November 6, 2021, when Terell Ephron, who is also known as A$AP Relli, claimed that A$AP Rocky fired a gun at him during a heated argument on a Hollywood street. Terell alleged that one of the bullets grazed his knuckles. A$AP Rocky, who is not only a rapper but also a fashion entrepreneur and the partner of pop star Rihanna, firmly denied the allegations. He argued that the weapon in question was merely a prop gun and suggested that Terell was motivated by financial gain. When the jury announced their not-guilty verdict, the courtroom erupted with joy, with screams and applause filling the air. A$AP Rocky rushed to embrace his family and Rihanna, who had been a constant presence in the courtroom throughout the trial. He expressed his gratitude, saying, 'Thank God for saving my life,' and thanked the jury for their decision. The rapper's arrest followed a confrontation with Terell in the heart of Hollywood. A$AP Rocky and Terell had been friends since their high school days in New York and were part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. However, their friendship had soured as A$AP Rocky's career skyrocketed. The altercation took place outside a hotel near the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, just a day after the two had a disagreement. During the trial, Terell testified that A$AP Rocky pulled a gun from his waistband and threatened him, saying, 'I'll kill you right now. ' He claimed that A$AP Rocky pointed the gun at him and that he challenged the rapper to shoot him. Instead, A$AP Rocky began to walk away, prompting Terell to follow him while shouting. Prosecutors alleged that A$AP Rocky then fired multiple shots, with one bullet reportedly grazing Terell's knuckles. A key aspect of the trial revolved around whether the firearm was a harmless prop gun, as A$AP Rocky's defense argued, or a real weapon capable of causing harm, as claimed by Terell and the prosecution. The actual weapon was never recovered by law enforcement. The jury was shown some surveillance footage of the altercation, which included audio of gunfire, but no video evidence directly captured the shooting itself. Terell took two days to report the incident to the authorities and presented shell casings he claimed to have found at the scene. However, police who responded to the shooting reports did not find any shell casings. Terell stated that he returned to the scene with his girlfriend hours later and knew exactly where to look, but no surveillance footage supported his account. He did not seek medical attention in Los Angeles but instead received treatment after returning to New York. A$AP Rocky's legal team suggested that Terell may have planted the shell casings to frame the rapper. The trial was marked by intense and emotional exchanges, particularly when Terell, the star witness, took the stand. At one point, Terell referred to A$AP Rocky's defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, as 'annoying,' which led to a reprimand from the judge. Another witness, A$AP Twelvyy, was questioned by prosecutors about a photograph of A$AP Rocky's bed, which had the letters 'AWGE' on it. When asked what it meant, A$AP Rocky unexpectedly interrupted the proceedings, telling Twelvyy not to answer. Such outbursts from defendants during trials are quite rare, especially in front of a jury. Rihanna was present in the courtroom to support A$AP Rocky, and they were seen together outside the courthouse after the verdict. A$AP Rocky is preparing to release his first solo album in nearly a decade and is scheduled to co-headline the Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles in March 2025. Additionally, he is set to star alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee's upcoming film, Highest 2 Lowest, which is expected to be released in the coming months.