A California jury found A$AP Rocky not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm tied to a 2021 incident with a former friend in Los Angeles.
Rocky’s attorneys argued that the weapon was merely a prop gun that fired blanks—a claim supported by testimony that he obtained it on a music video set for security purposes. Notably, Rocky (legal name Rakim Athelston Mayers) did not testify during the trial. Rihanna, his longtime partner, was in attendance along with their two young sons, RZA (2) and Riot (1).
The case centered on a November 6, 2021, altercation outside a Hollywood hotel between Rocky and A$AP Relli, a high school friend and fellow member of the A$AP Mob. According to Relli’s testimony, a scuffle ensued when the two met up, during which Relli claimed his knuckles were grazed by a bullet. However, testimony from mutual friend A$AP Twelvyy indicated that Relli was the aggressor and that Rocky fired the gun as a warning, emphasizing that the starter pistol—used for protection—had only discharged blanks. Surveillance video partially captured the incident, and while investigators found no weapons on the scene, Relli did provide shell casings he recovered after the clash.
The defense painted Relli as a man driven by “jealousy, lies and greed,” suggesting that financial motives spurred him to pursue charges against Rocky.
Following the verdict, Rocky expressed gratitude to the jury, saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.” LA County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman issued a statement acknowledging the decision while affirming his office’s commitment to justice, noting, “Fame does not place anyone above the law.”/DLYnews/
