The 'Peso' rapper reiterates his denial in the shooting allegations, blaming a third party for the injuries and damages suffered by the former A$AP Mob member from their argument last November.
- Sep 17, 2022
AceShowbiz - A$AP Rocky has maintained his innocence amid shooting lawsuit by his former pal, A$AP Relli. The "F**kin' Problems" rapper has denied shooting the former A$AP Mob member, dubbing the allegations "an extortion attempt."
In a statement to Complex, Rocky's attorney Joe Tacopina said on Friday, September 16, "Rocky didn't commit a crime. It was an extortion attempted by a former associate, who threatened to make false criminal accusations if Rocky didn't pay him." The lawyer insisted, "What will become abundantly clear in the upcoming months, based on facts and evidence, is that Rocky is innocent of these charges."
To Rolling Stone, Tacopina said that Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, had badgering Rocky for money before he allegedly initiated a physical altercation at a face-to-face meeting and then tried to spin the confrontation into a shooting claim. Accusing Relli of jealousy, the attorney stated, "He's a failed associate - ex-associate - of Rocky's, and he's jealous."
Tacopina further said of Relli, "He was trying to get money from Rocky. He wanted Rocky to support him. He made it clear." The lawyer went on claiming, "There were repeated attempts where he tried to ask for money in lieu of not causing problems for Rocky. That's what he said. We have all this memorialized in text messages and otherwise, so it's an extortion."
According to the lawyer, Relli was the aggressor during the altercation that happened last November, but he's tried to spin the story. "He tried to attack Rocky, and some other guy got involved, and he punched some other guy in the face and knocked his teeth out," the attorney detailed, "and of course now, according to him, he's a victim."
Rocky reiterated his denial about the shooting allegations in court documents. "Answering 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 documents read.
According to the filing, Relli's injuries and damages "were caused solely, directly and proximately by the negligent and/or intentional acts or omissions" of someone else. Additionally, it said that Relli "failed to exercise reasonable care to avoid the consequences of harm."
Last month, Relli slapped Rocky with a civil lawsuit over the alleged shooting that took place in November 2021. In the filing, Relli's legal team claimed the 33-year-old star invited Relli to have a conversation that led to an argument between the two.
"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," the attorney said.
Rocky was formally charged with two counts of assault. Later in the same month, he pleaded not guilty to both charges. The 33-year-old rapper's next court date is scheduled for November 2 and if he is convicted, he could face up to nine years in jail.
