A$AP Rocky’s gun firing case: How did the rapper avoid 24-year prison sentence?

A$AP Rocky, the Grammy-nominated rapper and partner of pop icon Rihanna, was found not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon in connection with a 2021 altercation in Hollywood.

The verdict, reached after just three hours of jury deliberation, spared him from a potential 24-year prison sentence.

What led to the charges against A$AP Rocky?

The case stemmed from an incident on November 6, 2021, when A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of pointing a gun at former friend Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, during an argument.

Prosecutors alleged that Rocky later fired two shots in Ephron’s direction, one of which reportedly grazed his knuckles.

Ephron and Rocky were once part of the same hip-hop collective, the A$AP Mob, but their relationship had soured. Ephron later filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky related to the incident, adding a financial aspect to the case.

Rocky denied these allegations, maintaining that the firearm involved was a prop gun taken from a music video set, which only fired blanks.

His defence team argued that Ephron was the aggressor and that Rocky had used the prop gun merely as a warning. Rocky’s attorneys also highlighted that there was no concrete evidence proving he fired a real gun.

What happened at the trial?

During the three-week trial, prosecutors relied heavily on Ephron’s testimony, surveillance footage, and text messages to establish their case. Some video evidence captured the sound of gunfire and a scuffle, though the footage itself was blurry and unclear.

The prosecution contended that Rocky’s fame should not place him above the law and that he had fired at Ephron with intent to harm.

On the eve of the trial, Rocky was offered a plea deal that included six months in jail along with probation, but he declined, maintaining his innocence. His legal team argued that the jury would see through the allegations and recognise the inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.

Rocky’s defence countered by calling witnesses who stated that the firearm was a prop gun. They also portrayed Ephron as an unreliable witness, with Rocky’s attorney describing him as a “pathological liar” who had a financial motive for his claims, as he had filed a separate civil lawsuit against Rocky.

Defence attorney Joe Tacopina argued that Ephron had perjured himself multiple times during the trial and that his statements could not be trusted.

The jury was also given instructions that if they found Rocky had reasonably believed that he or someone with him was in imminent danger and acted in self-defence, they could acquit him. This played a crucial role in the verdict.

Why did the jury acquit A$AP Rocky?

The jury had to determine whether Rocky had fired live rounds or blanks and whether he acted in self-defence. Importantly, they did not need to agree on the exact reasoning for their verdict — only that they found reasonable doubt about his guilt.

After just three hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted Rocky on both counts, suggesting they either believed he fired blanks or found his actions justified in the context of self-defence.

How did A$AP Rocky react?

As the verdict was announced, Rocky jumped into the arms of Rihanna, his family, and supporters, visibly emotional.

“Thank y’all for saving my life,” he told the jury.

Outside the courthouse, he expressed gratitude, stating, “This whole experience has been crazy for the past four years. I’m thankful and blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y’all.”

Rihanna, who had attended several sessions of the trial, brought their two young sons to court during closing arguments. She embraced Rocky’s legal team and was visibly relieved by the verdict.

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, while acknowledging the verdict, reiterated that his office remains committed to holding individuals accountable regardless of their celebrity status. “Our office remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law, no matter their status or influence,” he said in a statement.

What’s next for A$AP Rocky?

With the legal battle behind him, Rocky can now focus on his upcoming projects. He is set to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in March, co-chair the prestigious Met Gala in May, and star alongside Denzel Washington in director Spike Lee’s upcoming film, Highest 2 Lowest, set for release in early summer.

However, the civil lawsuit filed by Ephron remains unresolved, meaning legal challenges may still be ahead for Rocky.

Despite this, his acquittal in the criminal case allows him to move forward without the looming threat of a lengthy prison sentence.

With inputs from agencies