Rapper A$AP Rocky is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing to determine whether he will stand trial on two charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stem from an incident in Hollywood in November 2021. Rocky allegedly shot his former friend and fellow rapper, A$AP Relli. If convicted, Rocky could face up to four years in prison on each count.
Prosecutors allege that during an argument, Rocky pointed a handgun at Terrell Ephron, another member of the A$AP Mob rap group, and fired two shots toward him, injuring his hand. Ephron has since filed a civil assault and battery lawsuit, claiming that Rocky pointed the gun in his direction and fired multiple shots, causing injuries that required medical attention.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has pleaded not guilty and has been out on $550,000 bail. However, he was not present at the hearing, which was held in Downtown Los Angeles. The court has ordered him to appear on June 5 for the preliminary hearing.
The charges against Rocky were upgraded from misdemeanours to felonies by the LA District Attorney’s office, which said that –
“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.”
Rocky is also subject to a protective order that requires him to stay at least 100 yards away from Ephron. He was also required not to contact him.
cc: Mirror
