A jury on Tuesday found Grammy-nominated rapper A$AP Rocky not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon stemming from a 2021 altercation with fellow artist Terell Ephron in Hollywood. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of pointing a gun at Ephron and firing two shots, allegedly grazing his knuckles. Rocky’s defense argued the firearm was a prop gun used in a music video and that Ephron was the aggressor in the dispute.
After the verdict was read, Rocky, the longtime partner of singer Rihanna, jumped into the crowd of supporters in the courtroom, hugging them as cheers erupted. “Thank y’all for saving my life,” he told the jury. Outside the courthouse, he stood with Rihanna and his attorney, expressing gratitude: “I’m thankful and blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y’all.” Rihanna, who attended multiple hearings, brought the couple’s young sons, RZA and Riot, to the courtroom during closing arguments.
Ephron, who performed under the name A$AP Relli as part of the same hip-hop collective, has filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky. Meanwhile, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman acknowledged the jury’s decision, stating that his office remains committed to holding individuals accountable, regardless of status or influence.
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