A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty

A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty of Firearm Assault in Los Angeles Trial

The long-running legal battle involving rapper A$AP Rocky has finally come to a close, and the verdict is in: Not guilty.

After weeks of heated courtroom drama, a Los Angeles jury acquitted the rapper—real name Rakim Mayers—on two felony assault charges that could have landed him behind bars for up to 24 years. The case, centered around a 2021 altercation with his former friend Terell Ephron (aka A$AP Relli), had the hip-hop world on edge.

But now, with the jury ruling in his favor, A$AP Rocky walks free, and the questions linger: Was this a case of justice served, or just another chapter in a long history of celebrity legal battles?

What Was A$AP Rocky Accused Of?

It all started on November 6, 2021, when an argument between A$AP Rocky and his longtime friend-turned-adversary, Terell Ephron, allegedly escalated into gunfire on a Hollywood street.

Ephron claimed that during the altercation, A$AP Rocky pulled out a firearm and shot at him multiple times, grazing his knuckles. He presented himself as the victim of an unprovoked attack and took the stand to recount the moment in court.

But Rocky’s defense team had a different story: they argued that there was no real gun—just a harmless prop. More importantly, they claimed that Ephron had a financial motive, suggesting he was seeking a payout from the rapper.

The case was riddled with inconsistencies, conflicting testimonies, and missing evidence. No firearm was ever recovered, and surveillance footage—while capturing audio of gunfire—failed to show A$AP Rocky actually pulling the trigger.

Who is Terell Ephron, A$AP Relli?

To understand how this case even reached trial, you have to look at the history between A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli.

Both were once part of the A$AP Mob, a collective of Harlem-based rappers that made waves in the early 2010s. They had known each other since high school in New York, but as Rocky’s career skyrocketed, their relationship soured.

By 2021, tensions had clearly reached a breaking point. Ephron testified that he and Rocky had argued the day before the alleged shooting. The next day, they met again outside a Hollywood hotel. What happened next remains a matter of contention.

According to Ephron, Rocky first pointed a gun at him and threatened to kill him. When Ephron called his bluff, Rocky walked away—only to allegedly turn back and fire shots.

But the lack of physical evidence made his claims difficult to prove.

A Trial Built on Missing Evidence

One of the biggest issues in the case was the missing gun. Despite claims that Rocky fired multiple times, authorities were never able to locate a firearm.

Even more puzzling, Ephron only reported the incident two days later. He claimed he retrieved shell casings from the scene, but when police investigated, they found none. This raised serious doubts about the reliability of his account.

The defense suggested that Ephron may have planted the shell casings in an attempt to frame Rocky—an argument that seemed to resonate with jurors.

The Verdict: A$AP Rocky Walks Free

After weeks of arguments, emotional testimonies, and legal maneuvering, the jury ultimately found A$AP Rocky not guilty on all charges.

His longtime partner, Rihanna, who had been present at multiple court hearings, was visibly emotional as the verdict was read. The relief in the courtroom was palpable—one of hip-hop’s biggest stars would not be spending the next two decades behind bars.

Regardless of which side you believe, one thing is clear—A$AP Rocky is now free to return to his music, fashion, and family life, leaving behind one of the most controversial legal battles of his career.