The 'F**kin' Problems' rapper faces two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for a November 2021 incident, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has announced.
- Aug 16, 2022
AceShowbiz - A$AP Rocky's legal problem is getting real. The New York rapper can't escape the repercussion of an alleged run-in with a former friend in Hollywood last year as he is now facing criminal charges for an alleged shooting in November 2021.
On Monday, August 15, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced that Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, has been formally charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He is set to be arraigned on Wednesday at a downtown Los Angeles courthouse.
Prosecutors believe Rocky pointed a gun at a man during a heated discussion in Hollywood back in November. During a follow-up confrontation, the 33-year-old allegedly pulled the trigger and fired two shots in the direction of the alleged victim. Los Angeles police said the man "sustained a minor injury from the incident and later sought his medical treatment."
In pressing the charges against the musician, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said on Monday, "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."
He added in a statement to TheWrap, "My office conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this case and determined that the addition of a special firearm allegation was warranted."
Rocky was arrested at LAX in April for the shooting. He was booked into jail, but released three hours later after paying $550,000 bail. According to the LAPD news release at the time, "On November 6, 2021, around 10:15 P.M., an argument between two acquaintances occurred in the area of Selma Avenue and Argyle Avenue, in the Hollywood Area. The argument escalated and resulted in the suspect firing a handgun at the victim. The victim sustained a minor injury from the incident and later sought his medical treatment. Following the shooting, the suspect and two additional males fled the area on foot."
Rocky's former friend and former A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli a.k.a. Terell Ephron later came forward as the alleged victim. He is also suing the "L$D" spitter for assault and battery for the 2021 incident. According to Terell's lawyer, Rocky set up a meeting in an obscure location in central Hollywood "to discuss a disagreement between the two of them" that led to the shooting.
