Los Angeles, California – Rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has been found not guilty of firing a gun at his former friend, Terell Ephron, during an alleged altercation in 2021.
A jury in Los Angeles cleared Mayers of two felony assault charges, which could have resulted in a sentence of up to 24 years in prison.
Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, claimed the Grammy-nominated artist shot at him during an argument on a Hollywood street on November 6, 2021, with one of the bullets allegedly grazing his knuckles. However, Mayers denied the allegations, asserting that the firearm in question was a prop gun and accusing Ephron of fabricating the claims for financial gain.
As the first not guilty verdict was read, the courtroom erupted with cheers and applause. Overcome with emotion, Mayers leaped over a wooden divider to embrace his family and long-time partner, global pop star Rihanna, who had been a constant presence throughout the trial. For the final verdict, she brought along their two young sons, RZA and Riot.
Upon the announcement of the second acquittal, Mayers also hugged his legal team and appeared visibly emotional.
“Thank God for saving my life,” he said, before expressing gratitude to the jury for their decision.
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The Case and Trial Drama
The incident stemmed from a heated dispute between Mayers and Ephron, who had known each other since high school and were both members of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. Their relationship soured as Mayers’ career skyrocketed.
According to prosecutors, Ephron met with Mayers near a Hollywood hotel a day after the two had an argument. During the encounter, Mayers allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband, pointed it at Ephron, and threatened, “I will kill you right now.”
Ephron testified that he dared Mayers to fire, but the rapper walked away. When Ephron continued to shout at him, he claimed that Mayers turned back and fired multiple shots, one of which grazed his hand.
A key point of contention in the trial was whether the firearm was real or merely a prop, as Mayer’s defence team insisted. No weapon was ever recovered, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the case.
Questionable Evidence and Contradictions
Surveillance footage captured parts of the confrontation, including the sound of gunfire, but no visual evidence confirmed the shooting. Ephron also delayed reporting the incident for two days and brought shell casings to police that he claimed to have collected from the scene.
However, officers who initially responded to reports of gunfire did not find any shell casings. Ephron later returned to the location with his girlfriend and said he recovered them without difficulty, though no surveillance footage verified his claim. He also opted to seek medical attention only after flying back to New York instead of being treated in Los Angeles.
Mayers’ attorneys argued that Ephron may have planted the shell casings in an attempt to frame their client.
Tense Moments in Court
The trial was marked by intense exchanges, particularly during Ephron’s testimony. At one point, he called Mayers’ defence attorney, Joe Tacopina, “annoying,” prompting the judge to reprimand him.
Prosecutors unexpectedly questioned rapper A$AP Twelvyy about the significance of the letters “AWGE” on Mayers’ bed frame. Before he could answer, Mayers interrupted the proceedings by shouting, “Do not say!” Twelvyy then refused to elaborate, defying the prosecutor’s questioning.
Outbursts like this are rare in criminal trials, making the moment particularly striking.
What’s Next for A$AP Rocky?
With the trial behind him, Mayers is now focused on his career. He is set to release his first solo album in nearly a decade and will co-headline the Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles in March 2025.
Additionally, he will appear alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest, set for release in the coming months.
