A$AP Rocky, wearing Gucci, attends the 2023 LACMA Art+Film Gala
A$AP Rocky Was Charged With Assault With a Deadly Weapon — Details on the Pending Court Case
Rapper A$AP Rocky could be going to prison and fans want to know why. The rapper is facing some serious charges — read for details.
By D.M.Dec. 22 2023, Published 1:17 p.m. ET
The drama surrounding A$AP Rocky's personal life has heightened as the rapper could be on the hook for a shooting that took place in 2021.
Eight months after the incident, Rocky (real name is Rakim Mayers) was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. He was released hours later after posting $550,000 bond.
Rocky’s legal troubles surfaced amid a busy year for the rapper. He and Rihanna welcomed their first child, Rza Mayers, one month after his arrest and they seemingly wasted no time putting another bun in the oven.
Their second baby, Riot Mayers, was born in August – just months after Rihanna’s headline-making Super Bowl performance.
ASAP Rocky and Rihanna spotted by paparazzi October 07, 2023.
Despite the wealth of good news the rapper has gotten in recent years, rumors suggest that his luck might change. Rocky’s pending court case is not going away anytime soon and the rapper could face serious jail time if found guilty.
Why is A$AP Rocky going to prison?
Rocky has been named as the prime suspect in a shooting that occurred outside the W Hotel in Hollywood in November 2021, BBC reports. Prosecutors argue that Rocky fired the shot at his former friend, A$AP Relli, after an altercation.
Relli – born Terell Ephron – was previously a member of the A$AP Mob before their relationship turned sour.
During the November hearing, Relli detailed the alleged crime and explained that he was surprised when the argument with Rocky turned violent.
“There was a little bit of tension so I thought there might be some roughing, but I thought we were going to walk away like brothers,” Relli testified (via Los Angeles Times). An argument later ensued and then things got hectic. According to Relli, Rocky pulled out his firearm almost immediately.
A$AP Rocky sits at a preliminary hearing in his assault with a semi-automatic firearm case
However, after a group of pedestrians took notice of the commotion, Rocky put the gun back in his waistband.
Rocky, who was with A$AP Twelvyy at the time, attempted to retreat but Relli admittedly pursued the rapper.
“I felt this was my time to get everything off my chest,” Ephron testified. And that is when the shooting occurred. “Rocky turned around and shot me.”
How long would A$AP’s jail sentence be if he’s convicted?
Rocky has been charged with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and the crimes could result in a lengthy jail sentence.
While he has pleaded not guilty to the charges levied against him, he could face up to 24 years in prison if convicted, according to USA Today. However, Rocky’s attorney adamantly believes the rapper will be vindicated once the trial is finished.
A$AP Rocky, departs the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center after a preliminary hearing
"We're not disappointed, not surprised; we expected to go to trial. We’ve been planning for trial all along," Rocky's attorney, Joe Tacopina, said. "Rocky is going to be vindicated when all this is said and done, without question."
This is not Rocky’s first run-in with the law. In 2019, he was jailed in Sweden after being accused of assaulting a 19-year-old man. Per NME, Rocky was handed a suspended sentence and was ordered to $1,303 in damages.
