A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty in firearm assault case
(Credit: Chad Cooper)

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A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty in firearm assault case

A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty after being charged with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm earlier this week. In a recent accusation, it was alleged that the rapper discharged a firearm at A$AP Relli in November 2021.

Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers) pleaded not guilty to two felony charges during his arraignment on Wednesday in Los Angeles County Court. The news was first reported by Rolling Stone on Wednesday afternoon and has since been corroborated by multiple outlets. Mayers’ attorney Sara L Caplan has been approached for further comment, but as yet, no further details of the hearing have been released.

The case against Mayers stems from an incident that allegedly took place between the rapper and his former collaborator Terell Ephron (aka A$AP Relli) on November 6th, 2021. Ephron came forward last week as Mayers’ alleged victim after retaining anonymity in the months following Mayers’ April arrest. 

Ephron is pressing charges on his fellow rapper for assault and battery, negligence, and emotional distress. He claimed Mayers invited him to a location in central Hollywood to “discuss a disagreement” they had been having. According to the complaint, Mayers arrived at the meeting armed with a semi-automatic weapon and “without provocation, warning, or any justification… produced the handgun and intentionally fired multiple shots at Mr. Ephron.”

L.A. District Attorney George Gascón announced the state’s charges against Mayers on Monday, with the statement that “discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offence that could have ended with tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood.” Mayers could face up to nine years in prison if convicted at trial.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Rocky and his girlfriend Rihanna were expecting a baby. The baby boy was welcomed to the world back in May.