A$AP Rocky has once again pleaded not guilty to felony gun charges stemming from a November 2021 incident in Hollywood involving fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron.
Prosecutors allege that Rocky fired a semiautomatic handgun twice in Relli’s direction, leaving his left hand injured. According to Relli, tensions between the two ignited after Rocky allegedly promised to help the family of a deceased member of the A$AP Mob, but never did.
During a meeting in a Los Angeles hotel back in 2021, Relli claims A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, arrived with multiple men, pointed a gun at his stomach, and said: “I’ll kill you right now.”
He then testified that he was still hot shortly afterward and claims Rocky shot him four times — including once in the hand — before fleeing the scene.
Surveillance footage presented at a November preliminary hearing captured the altercation but lacked a clear visual of the alleged shooting. The video, as described by Rolling Stone, shows a group of men engaged in an argument at an intersection. However, “you don’t see an actual shooting on the video.” Additional footage captured sounds resembling two gunshots coinciding with the reported time of the incident.
A figure can be seen running and then resuming a normal gait after the sounds, but their identity remains unclear in the video. A Los Angeles detective testified to identifying the figure as Rocky, though this claim is disputed.
Rocky, 35, has consistently pleaded not guilty, claiming through his attorney that he was actually the victim of the altercation. His defense lawyer, Joe Tacopina, told Rolling Stone that Ephron, “a failed associate — ex-associate — of Rocky’s,” acted out of jealousy and attempted to extort money from the rapper. Tacopina alleges Ephron repeatedly demanded financial support in exchange for silence, which Rocky refused.
According to Tacopina, extensive text messages and other evidence support this claim. Tacopina also said that Rocky is looking forward to getting home to his family. “He’s a very strong character, a very strong individual,” Tacopina said.
Rocky is facing felony gun charges, including two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. If convicted, the A$AP Mob co-founder may be looking at a potential sentence of up to nine years in prison. The trial is set to commence on March 6th.
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