A$AP Rocky Charged With Assault Over November 2021 Shooting

A$AP Rocky has been charged in connection to a November 2021 shooting for which he was previously arrested. The rapper is facing criminal charges for allegedly shooting a friend during an altercation.

According to a press release obtained by The Blast from the Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascón, Rocky faces two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm with allegations of personally using a firearm.

During a November 6, 2021 altercation in Hollywood, the "Praise the Lord" rapper, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim.

In a subsequent confrontation between both parties, the "Dope" star reportedly drew the semi-automatic handgun and fired twice in the direction of the victim.

Gascón addressed Rocky's crimes, saying, "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. My office conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this case and determined that the addition of a special firearm allegation was warranted."

Prosecutors filed the case today and arraignment of the "Fashion Killa" rapper is scheduled for August 17 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Neither A$AP Rocky nor his legal team is yet to comment publicly on the new charges.

A$AP Rocky was arrested back in April in connection to this same case. As The Blast previously reported, the rapper was taken into custody at LAX airport after flying in from Barbados, where he was spending time with his then-pregnant girlfriend, Rihanna, and her family.

The 33-year-old landed in Los Angeles with a private jet, was confronted by police at the terminal, and led away in handcuffs. At the time, Riri, who has since given birth to a lovely baby boy, wasn't with her man at the airport.

However, Rocky's arrest sparked an uproar among fans who were worried about Rihanna's state of mind as she was very close to her due date. It also didn't help that the week before rumors surfaced that the Harlem native had cheated on the Fenty Beauty founder.

Rocky was arrested as part of an investigation process led by the LAPD in connection with the shooting. They successfully apprehended him with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations team.

He was later released on a bond of $500,000, with the investigation still ongoing.

While details about the shooting remain largely unknown, last week Rolling Stone reported that former A$AP Mob member Terell Ephron, aka A$AP Relli, came forward as the alleged victim of the November 6 incident.

Relli and Rocky were reported to be high school best friends before their dangerous altercation. In a statement to the publication, Relli's attorneys explained why he came forward with his identity.

The lawyers claimed that Rocky, ahead of his hearing in August, tried to lure Relli to an obscure location in central Hollywood “to discuss a disagreement between the two of them."

A statement from the attorneys read, "Unbeknownst to Mr. Ephron, A$AP Rocky was not just planning for a conversation and came armed with a semi-automatic handgun. After arriving at the location, a conversation ensued whereby without provocation, warning, or any justification, A$AP Rocky produced the handgun and intentionally fired multiple shots at Mr. Ephron."

Relli, who is a talent manager and producer, claimed he suffered minor injuries to his left hand. He planned to sue Rocky for assault, battery, and emotional distress for the alleged assault.