In a surprising turn of events, rapper ASAP Rocky has been found not guilty of shooting his former friend and associate in a 2021 incident in Los Angeles. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after a jury deliberated for nearly three hours.
The 36-year-old artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faced two felony counts of assault with a firearm stemming from an altercation with Terell Ephron, also known as ASAP Relli, near a Hollywood hotel. If convicted, Rocky could have faced up to 24 years in prison.
Key points of the trial include:
- The prosecution alleged the use of a semiautomatic weapon, while the defense argued it was a prop gun for a music video.
- No firearm was presented as evidence during the trial.
- ASAP Rocky did not testify in his own defense.
Upon hearing the verdict, the rapper expressed gratitude to the jurors, saying, “Thank you all for saving my life.” He then embraced family members, including his partner Rihanna, who attended the trial with their two young children.
The acquittal comes at a crucial time for ASAP Rocky’s career. He is set to headline the Los Angeles edition of the Rolling Loud festival in March and star alongside Denzel Washington in an upcoming Spike Lee film.
This verdict marks a significant victory for the Grammy-nominated artist, allowing him to move forward with his personal and professional life without the shadow of potential incarceration.
