Rapper A$AP Rocky, (Rakim Mayers), is set to stand trial on charges related to an alleged shooting incident involving his former childhood friend, Terell Ephron.
The incident, which took place two years ago, recently gained public attention after a viral video surfaced showing A$AP Rocky purportedly firing a handgun at Ephron.
During the second day of a court hearing, it was confirmed that A$AP Rocky would face trial on accusations of firing a pistol during a dispute with Ephron, causing minor injuries. The rapper has entered a plea of not guilty.
Rocky is now confronted with two felony counts of assault with a firearm, and if found guilty, he could potentially face up to nine years in prison.
The charges stem from an altercation between the rapper and Ephron, who was part of the A$AP’s Mob hip-hop collective and had known A$AP Rocky since their time together in a New York high school.
In a separate lawsuit, Ephron alleges that he is a victim of assault and battery, negligence, and emotional distress, claiming that A$AP Rocky intentionally lured him to an undisclosed location outside the W Hotel in Hollywood on November 6, 2021, to discuss a disagreement.
The incident was captured on CCTV, and a video circulating on social media purportedly shows Rakim brandishing and firing a gun.
However, A$AP Rocky’s legal team denies that he is the person depicted in the video.
A$AP Rocky, who is currently in a relationship with music icon Rihanna, has risen to fame in the music industry.
The couple shares two children. The rapper gained prominence with support from artists like Drake and has collaborated with various musicians, including Alicia Keys, Lana Del Rey, Skepta, Selena Gomez, and Kendrick Lamar.
