A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty to felony charges: What to know about A$AP Relli shooting case
A$AP Rocky is pleading not guilty to felony gun charges ahead of an upcoming trial in which he faces allegations of shooting a former friend.
The 35-year-old rapper, born Rakim Mayers, was first accused of firing a gun twice in the direction of the alleged victim, identified as Terell Ephron (formerly A$AP Relli), after an argument in Hollywood in November 2021.
On Monday, the father of two and boyfriend to Rihanna entered a new not guilty plea to felony gun charges, including two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, according to Rolling Stone and The Guardian.
In November during a preliminary hearing that included testimony and surveillance video evidence, a Los Angeles judge ruled there was enough evidence for the Puma creative director to stand trial.
He could serve up to 24 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
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USA TODAY has reached out to lawyers for Mayers and Ephron for comment.
Here's what we know.
ASAP Rocky footage: What is rapper accused of doing?
Rocky is accused of shooting a former friend after an argument near a Hollywood hotel on Nov. 6, 2021.
According to authorities, an argument escalated and led to Rocky "firing a handgun" at Ephron, according to the tweeted statement from the LAPD in April 2022.
Ephron, according to police, received medical attention sustaining only minor injuries. Police said Rocky and two other men fled the scene on foot.
Video shown in court in November showed a group of men, two of whom officials identified as Rocky and Ephron, involved in a verbal altercation.
A video prosecutors showed during a November preliminary hearing includes what sounded like two gunshots followed by a man running around a corner and beginning to walk. The man's identity is unclear, but a Los Angeles Police Department detective said investigators established the individual is Rocky.
The video shows a man whose face is not visible, in a hooded sweatshirt, holding what appears to be a firearm. An image from the same video shows the face of the man in the sweatshirt with no gun visible. The detective said the images are how investigators determined the person in question was the Billboard chart-topping rapper.
What criminal charges does ASAP Rocky face?
Rocky faces two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in his criminal trial. He is also facing a separate civil lawsuit from Ephron.
ASAP Rocky court trial: When does it begin?
A trial date has not been set. Rocky is due back in court for his next hearing on March 6.
Who is ASAP Relli? Childhood friendship with ASAP Rocky crumbled ahead of alleged altercation
Ephron, formerly known as A$AP Relli, testified at the November hearing that he and his childhood friend Rocky belonged to the same collective of musicians and artists at their New York high school. Both are a part of what was known as A$AP Mob, the hip-hop collective featuring chart-topping rapper A$AP Ferg and the late A$AP Yams.
Their relationship later soured and resulted in the Hollywood standoff on Nov. 6, 2021, when Ephron said Rocky first pulled a gun on him.
There was also a later confrontation where Rocky allegedly fired shots that grazed Ephron's knuckles. Police did not recover a 9 mm pistol when a search warrant was served on Rocky, an LAPD detective testified.
ASAP Rocky arrested in assault case
In April 2022, police arrested the "Fashion Killa" rapper at the Los Angeles International Airport in connection with the shooting, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed at the time. The rapper was returning from a trip in Barbados with Rihanna when officers detained him at LAX before arresting him for "assault with a deadly weapon."
The "Praise the Lord" rapper was later released from custody after posting bail of $550,000, LAPD confirmed to USA TODAY. Los Angeles Superior Court Victoria B. Wilson ordered the rapper to stay away from Ephron.
In August 2022, Rocky pleaded not guilty to the charges. Rocky was required to plead not guilty a second time on Monday, following the November ruling finding there was sufficient evidence to bring the rapper to trial.
Rihanna and A$AP Rockyshare first photos of their newborn baby, Riot Rose
ASAP Relli says ASAP Rocky caused 'physical, mental and emotional injuries' in civil suit
Ephron also filed a civil suit against Rocky for assault, battery and emotional distress on Aug. 10, 2022.
Ephron claims he was struck by bullet projectile fragments and sought medical attention, which caused continuous "physical, mental and emotional injuries" and prevented him from "attending to his usual occupation."
Ephron is seeking judgment for $25,000 in general damages, special damages for "x-ray, medical, future medical and sundry expenses," loss of earnings and more.
Rocky's lawyers filed an answer to the complaint, filed Sept. 15, 2022, and acquired by USA TODAY, writing: "Defendant generally denies each and every allegation of the complaint, and specifically denies that plaintiff has been damaged in any amount or in any way as a result of any act or omission of answering defendant.
"The injuries and/or damages complained of in the complaint, if any, were caused solely, directly and proximately by the negligent and/or intentional acts or omissions of person other than answering defendant," the document says.
Contributing: Charles Trepany, USA TODAY; Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press
