On February 18, 2025, a Los Angeles jury acquitted rapper A$AP Rocky of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stemmed from a November 2021 incident in which Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, accused Rocky of firing a gun at him during a confrontation in Hollywood. Ephron claimed he was grazed by a bullet on his knuckles.
The trial, which lasted nearly four weeks, featured contrasting accounts from the defense and prosecution. Rocky’s defense argued that he was carrying a prop gun that discharged blanks, while the prosecution contended that the gun was real and the incident was an assault. Key evidence included surveillance footage and text messages, but no gun was recovered, and shell casings lacked fingerprints.
After the verdict, Rocky expressed heartfelt gratitude to the jury and embraced his partner, Rihanna, who had attended the trial to support him. Rihanna, who had been under significant stress during the trial, celebrated the acquittal with Rocky and their two sons, RZA and Riot.
The acquittal spared Rocky from a potential 24-year prison sentence. Following the trial, he and Rihanna are reportedly focusing on spending quality time with their family and considering future plans, including a possible wedding.
This case highlights the complexities of legal proceedings involving public figures and the impact such trials can have on the individuals involved and their families.
