ASAP Rocky is officially standing trial in Los Angeles after pleading not guilty to charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The case stems from a November 2021 incident in which the rapper, born Rakim Mayers, is accused of firing a gun at Terell Ephron, better known as former ASAP Mob member ASAP Relli, during an argument in Hollywood.
Jury selection for the trial began Tuesday, with Rocky turning down a plea deal from prosecutors that would have required him to serve 180 days in county jail, followed by three years of probation and a seven-year suspended prison sentence. According to reports from independent journalist Meghann Cuniff and Rolling Stone’s Nancy Dillon, Rocky and his legal team are opting to fight the charges in court.
The 2021 shooting allegedly occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Selma Avenue and Argyle Avenue in Hollywood. According to an LAPD report, an argument between two acquaintances escalated, resulting in the suspect (Rocky) firing a handgun. The victim sustained minor injuries and sought medical treatment after the incident. Authorities said Rocky fled the scene on foot alongside two other individuals.
In April 2022, Rocky was arrested in connection to the incident, and by August 2022, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón issued a statement emphasizing the gravity of the allegations. “Discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offense that could have ended with tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood,” Gascón said.
Rocky has maintained his innocence throughout the process. His lawyer, Joe Tacopina, has called the case “fundamentally weak” and insists his client is “eager to tell his story.” On Tuesday, Tacopina revealed a key element of Rocky’s defense: they plan to call two witnesses who will testify that the firearm seen in security footage was not a real weapon but rather a “starter pistol” prop gun Rocky carried for security purposes.
