What Was ASAP Rocky Accused Of?

Grammy-nominated rapper ASAP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of shooting his former friend and collaborator, Terell Ephron, known as ASAP Relli, during an altercation in Hollywood in 2021. The case, which could have derailed Rocky’s career, ended with a not guilty verdict on Tuesday after a jury deliberated for nearly three hours.

The legal battle revolved around allegations that Rocky had fired a gun at Relli, injuring his hand. However, the defense argued that no real bullets were used and that the alleged weapon was merely a prop. Despite surveillance footage showing Rocky holding a firearm, prosecutors failed to produce the gun as evidence.

The Incident: What Happened in 2021?

According to testimony from Relli, he and ASAP Rocky had agreed to meet on November 6, 2021, near the W Hotel in Hollywood to settle ongoing disputes. The two had been high school friends and part of the ASAP Mob, a rap collective known for launching Rocky’s career. However, their relationship had soured over the years.

Relli claimed that when Rocky arrived at the meeting, he was accompanied by two other ASAP Mob members, ASAP Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips) and ASAP Illz (Illijah Ulanger). What was supposed to be a conversation quickly turned into an argument, and according to Relli’s testimony, Rocky pulled a gun and fired at him, grazing his right hand.

The Prosecution’s Case

Los Angeles County prosecutors argued that Rocky had used a semiautomatic firearm, aiming it at Relli and firing twice. Surveillance footage was presented in court showing Rocky holding a gun before the alleged shooting, which the prosecution claimed proved their case.

The jury also heard testimony from Los Angeles police officers, including Sergeant Thomas Zizzo, one of the first responders at the scene. However, Zizzo admitted that authorities were unable to locate any physical evidence, such as shell casings or the firearm.

Prosecutors also highlighted Relli’s Instagram posts, claiming that he had received death threats after making his accusations against Rocky public.

The Defense: Was It a Setup?

Rocky’s legal team, led by Joe Tacopina, argued that the gun in question was a prop firearm used in a music video shoot and that no real bullets were fired. According to defense witnesses, including ASAP Twelvyy, Rocky had been advised to carry a fake gun for security reasons after a series of threats against him.

The defense also accused Relli of exaggerating his injuries and trying to extort money from Rocky. Tacopina labeled Relli as a “perjury machine”, claiming that he fabricated parts of his testimony to support a civil lawsuit he had filed against Rocky.

Additionally, the defense pointed out inconsistencies in Relli’s statements. At one point during cross-examination, Relli became frustrated and told the judge:

“I’m not on trial. I’ve been here for five days, dealing with this man. I’ve been looking stupid for five days.”

Rihanna’s Role in the Trial

Throughout the three-week trial, Rihanna, Rocky’s longtime partner and the mother of his two sons, attended several hearings to support him. Prosecutors warned the jury not to let her presence influence their decision, but Tacopina emphasized that Rocky did not want Rihanna there—she insisted on supporting him.

“Rocky did not want her here. He wanted to shield her from this. Wild horses couldn’t keep her away.” — Tacopina

The Verdict and What’s Next for ASAP Rocky

On Tuesday, February 2025, the jury found Rocky not guilty of both felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon. The verdict was met with relief from the rapper and his family.

“Thank y’all for saving my life,” Rocky reportedly told the jurors after the decision was announced.

Following his acquittal, Rocky’s legal troubles are not completely over. Relli has filed a civil lawsuit seeking damages for his injuries, along with a defamation suit against both Rocky and Tacopina. However, legal experts suggest that the not guilty verdict may weaken these claims.

Despite the court battle, ASAP Rocky’s career remains intact. He is set to headline Rolling Loud Los Angeles in March, serve as a celebrity chair for the Met Gala in May, and star alongside Denzel Washington in a Spike Lee-directed movie set for a summer release.

With the legal case behind him, Rocky can now focus on his music and projects, moving forward from an incident that could have altered his future forever.