Rapper A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, will proceed to trial for the alleged shooting of former friend and collaborator Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, outside a Hollywood hotel. The decision was handed down by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar, who expressed that the totality of video evidence and testimony presented during the preliminary hearing was sufficient to proceed to trial.
A$AP Rocky, the 35-year-old “Praise the Lord” rapper, maintained composure during the courtroom proceedings. He has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the November 6, 2021, incident, where he is accused of firing a weapon during a dispute with Ephron. The confrontation left Ephron with a grazed hand and minor injuries.
The judge’s decision was reinforced by newly surfaced footage from a security camera near the crime scene, providing additional clarity to previously presented video evidence. The newly revealed footage captured gunshots synchronized with timestamps from the initial video. It showed Rocky swiftly leaving the scene after the incident, corroborating earlier claims.
The footage preceding the shooting depicted a physical altercation between the two individuals, during which Rocky was purportedly concealing a handgun behind his back. The judge emphasized that the preliminary hearing aimed to establish probable cause, and the trial would adhere to a higher standard of evidence.
A$AP Rocky, who is in a relationship with pop star Rihanna and has two children, is currently free on $550,000 bail. If convicted, he could face up to nine years in prison. The upcoming trial will further examine the evidence and testimony, determining the rapper’s legal fate in relation to the 2021 Hollywood shooting.
