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Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are seen outside of Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center

A$AP Rocky Found ‘Not Guilty’ in Gun Assault Trial: Rihanna’s Emotional Reaction

The Barbadian artist couldn't hold back tears upon hearing the verdict, which frees the rapper from facing over 20 years in prison

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Rapper A$AP Rocky has been found «not guilty» of firearm assault charges in a trial that recently concluded in Los Angeles. His reaction has gone viral, as he ran excitedly to tightly embrace his partner, Rihanna, the mother of his two children, RZA and Riot, who was visibly emotional.

The artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, had been accused of allegedly shooting his former collaborator, Terell «Relli» Ephron, in November 2021. After three weeks of trial and three hours of deliberation, the jury declared Mayers not guilty on both counts.

@los40usa ❤️ @A$AP ROCKY @badgalriri #rihanna #asaprocky #trial ♬ sonido original – 🤍

Upon hearing the verdict, A$AP Rocky expressed his gratitude to the jury, saying, «Thank you for saving my life. You made the right decision.» Immediately afterward, he hugged Rihanna, who had supported him throughout the entire legal process alongside their two young children.

Rihanna arrives at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center for Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky, sentencing in his felony assault trial in Los Angeles, California, on February 18, 2025. The 36-year-old, who has two children with Rihanna, faces two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm during confrontations with Terell Ephron on November 6, 2021. Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

The case revolved around a dispute near a hotel in Hollywood, where Ephron claimed that Mayers shot him, causing a minor hand injury. The defense argued that the weapon used was a prop gun loaded with blanks, an argument that aligned with Mayers’ version of events. The absence of the alleged firearm was a key element in the trial, raising reasonable doubt about the nature of the incident.

This verdict allows A$AP Rocky to resume his music career without the looming threat of a criminal conviction, which could have resulted in a sentence of up to 24 years in prison. Rihanna’s unwavering support during the trial has been widely highlighted in the media, underscoring the strength of their relationship during times of adversity.