A jury in Los Angeles has reached a verdict in the trial of rapper A$AP Rocky, also known as Rakim Mayers, related to a 2021 shooting incident involving his former friend and collaborator. The decision follows a three-week trial where prosecutors depicted Mayers, 36, as the aggressor in an altercation that led to gunfire.
Mayers was accused of shooting at Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, following a dispute. If convicted, he faced a potential 24-year prison sentence, though prosecutors recommended an 8-year term.
Key Arguments in the Case
During closing arguments, prosecutors framed the case as straightforward, asserting that the central question was whether Mayers used a real firearm or a fake one. “This case boils down to one question: Did the defendant use a real gun or a prop gun?” argued Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec.
The defense countered by portraying Ephron as envious of Mayers’ success and claimed he had attacked the rapper twice on the night in question. Defense attorney Joe Tacopina stated that Mayers, lacking security at the time, carried a prop gun and fired to prevent Ephron from assaulting one of their associates.
Mayers, who has pleaded not guilty, chose not to testify. He previously declined a plea deal that would have resulted in a 180-day jail sentence, instead opting to go to trial.
Details of the Incident
The confrontation occurred near a Hollywood hotel, where Mayers allegedly drew a semiautomatic pistol, aimed it at Ephron, and threatened his life, according to prosecutors. It was alleged that he fired twice, with one bullet grazing Ephron’s hand.
Ephron testified that Mayers aimed downward when firing the first shot. “When he fired, I felt my hand burning. I grabbed [A$AP] Illz and used him as a shield,” he stated, referencing another member of their collective. “At that point, I was just trying not to get hit.”
He also described Mayers running toward him while firing the second shot.
Testimonies Supporting Mayers
Several witnesses, including A$AP Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips), testified that Mayers regularly carried a prop gun due to past violent encounters, including a stabbing and home invasions. Phillips claimed Ephron was the aggressor in the situation, stating that Ephron had physically grabbed and shaken Mayers that night.
“When Mayers pulled out the gun, Ephron responded by saying, ‘Shoot that fake gun,’” Phillips recounted.
Mayers’ tour manager also testified, reinforcing the claim that the weapon used was a prop gun.
Rihanna’s Presence in Court
Mayers’ partner, singer and entrepreneur Rihanna, was spotted attending the trial with their two children, showing support as closing arguments were presented.
The verdict is expected to be publicly announced shortly.
UPDATE: ASAP Rocky Acquitted in Hollywood Altercation, Avoiding a 24-Year Sentence
Rakim Mayers, known worldwide as A$AP Rocky, has been found not guilty on two felony assault counts stemming from a November 2021 altercation in Hollywood. The high-profile trial—spanning over three weeks—centered on whether Rocky had fired a real firearm or merely a prop loaded with blanks during an incident with his former friend, Terell Ephron (better known as A$AP Relli).
The Case in Focus
Prosecutors argued that during a heated dispute outside a Hollywood hotel, Rocky drew a semiautomatic weapon and fired at Relli, allegedly grazing his knuckles. They contended that the act constituted a dangerous assault, one that, if proven, could have cost him up to 24 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec stressed that the entire case turned on a single, critical issue: was a real gun used?
In a dramatic twist, Rocky’s defense—spearheaded by attorney Joe Tacopina—maintained that the weapon in question was a prop gun carried for security. The defense painted a picture of self-defense, claiming that Relli, motivated by jealousy and seeking financial gain from a subsequent lawsuit, had instigated the confrontation. Multiple witnesses, including members of the A$AP Mob like A$AP Twelvyy, testified that Rocky was known to carry a prop gun due to past violent encounters, and one even recalled Relli taunting him with the words, “Shoot that fake gun.” No real firearm was ever recovered at the scene, a fact the defense underscored during closing arguments.
Verdict and Aftermath
After just over three hours of deliberation, the jury—a panel of seven women and five men—returned a not-guilty verdict on February 18, 2025. An emotional Rocky immediately leaped from the defense table to embrace his partner, Rihanna, who had been a constant presence in the courtroom alongside their two young children. “Thank y’all for saving my life,” he reportedly told the jurors as they exited, a moment captured by onlookers and widely shared in the media.
Rocky had earlier rejected a plea deal that would have netted him a 180-day jail sentence, choosing instead to fight the charges at trial. The acquittal not only clears his legal record but also allows him to continue his flourishing career without the specter of decades behind bars.
What’s Next for A$AP Rocky
With this chapter closed, the rapper is set to return to a busy schedule. He’s slated to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in Los Angeles in March, co-chair the upcoming Met Gala in May, and star alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s film Highest 2 Lowest—all signaling that his creative momentum remains undeterred by the trial ordeal.
This verdict has reverberated through the entertainment and legal worlds alike, marking a pivotal moment in hip-hop legal history and reinforcing the narrative that, sometimes, what appears dangerous on the surface is nothing more than a case of misinterpreted intentions and manufactured evidence.