A$AP Rocky
Did the rapper shoot his former friend?
A$AP Rocky on his way to the courtroom.
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Rapper A$AP Rocky is on trial accused of shooting his friend. However, his lawyer is confident of victory.
Did rapper A$AP Rocky (35) shoot a friend several times with a semi-automatic weapon? Superstar Rihanna’s (35) partner is currently on trial in Los Angeles and pleaded not guilty at the first official hearing on Monday. As reported by “People” magazine, among others, his lawyer Joe Tacopina said that his client hopes that the case will be heard in full in court so that the facts come to light that would exonerate the rapper. Rakim Mayers, A$AP Rocky’s real name, is innocent and the victim here.
The rapper is accused of initially threatening his former friend and colleague Terell Ephron with a weapon during an argument in November 2021 in the Hollywood district on the street in front of a hotel. Later he even shot him, slightly injuring his hand. As early as November 2023, a judge decided at a preliminary hearing that there was enough evidence that the musician had attacked his friend and that there would be a hearing, which took place on January 8, 2024.
Surveillance camera records banging noises
In an available surveillance video, no shots can be seen, but two distinct bangs can be heard. The police never found a possible murder weapon, but were given two bullet casings by the victim A$AP Relli – also a rapper. However, no fingerprints could be found on the cases.
A$AP Rocky was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on April 20, 2022, just weeks before the birth of his first child with Rihanna. The couple had arrived from Barbados on a private plane. The musician was later released on $550,000 bail.
The reason for the dispute is said to have been the fact that Relli accused his colleague Rocky of betraying the hip-hop collective A$AP, which they founded together. Rihanna’s partner was the only one who achieved fame and money; the other members were all impoverished and drug addicts. One member even died, which exacerbated the dispute until it escalated in Hollywood.