Source: DUTCH/Bauer-Griffin / Getty
The verdict is in: Rakim Mayers, known to music fans around the world as ASAP Rocky, has been found not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm by a jury on Tuesday (Feb 18).
Rocky, 36, was accused of opening fire on childhood friend Terell “A$AP Relli” Ephron in Hollywood back in 2021.
A$AP Rocky jumps into the gallery and embraces Rihanna in an emotional moment following the reading of his Not Guilty verdict. pic.twitter.com/2vxTwINyyB
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 19, 2025
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In a case that could have seen him put behind bars for 24 years, Rocky previously chose to reject a plea deal in the Los Angeles case which would have seen him serve 180 days for accepting one of the felony counts.
The high-profile trial was marked with colorful testimony. Relli says the beef began on November 5, 2021 – one day before the shooting – when he overheard a call between Rocky and fellow music collaborator A$AP Bari that he found disrespectful.
A day later, Relli and Rocky planned to meet in Hollywood to air out their differences. Relli told the court that Rocky flashed a gun and he dared him to open fire.
“You better use that sh*t, what the f*ck you got a gun for?” Relli recalled. “I was willing to die for my respect. If this is what you want to do, I still have my dignity.”
There was no direct video evidence of the shooting itself; however, security footage showed parts of the encounter. A scuffle ensued and the gun was fired, with a bullet allegedly grazing Relli’s hand.
Rocky is the husband of singer and fashion powerhouse Rihanna and the pair are parents to two toddler boys. Rocky was also preparing the release of his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, via his ASAP Worldwide imprint alongside Polo Grounds/RCA. His defense claims the gun Rocky had that fateful day was a prop gun and that he never fired a weapon at his former friend.
