New York rapper A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty of firing a gun at former friend and fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli. If found guilty of both felony assault charges, Rocky could have served up to 24 years in prison.
The charges originated from an incident in 2021 on Hollywood Street, LA, during which Relli claimed Rocky fired a gun in his direction, grazing his knuckles with one of the shots. Rocky was then arrested by LAPD officers upon his return to LA in April 2022, before being released on bond.
In response, Rocky’s defence argued that the weapon was only a prop gun, and that Relli’s decision to press charges was motivated by money. The pair had been friends since attending high school together in New York, but had distanced from each other as Rocky’s career took off.
Also in attendance was another A$AP Mob member, A$AP Twelvyy, who was questioned about a photograph showing Mr Mayers’ bed with the letters “AWGE” written on the furniture. When asked about the acronym, Rocky is reported to have shouted, “Don’t say!” at Twelvyy, who then refused to elaborate.
Ultimately, police were unable to recover any shell casings or weapons from the scene, and the LA jury decided that the prosecution had not proven that Rocky was in possession of a weapon.
Rocky appeared to have tears in his eyes as both not-guilty verdicts were read, and rushed towards his wife, Rihanna, and their two children, who were seated behind him. Rocky had previously turned down a plea deal which carried a 180-day jail sentence.
With this incident now behind him, Rocky has a busy year ahead. He is expected to star in Spike Lee’s upcoming crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest, as well as release his first solo album in nearly a decade. Rocky will also be performing at LA hip-hop festival Rolling Loud next month (March).