BREAKING NEWS: A$AP Rocky is charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm after ‘shooting friend during row in Hollywood’ that left victim with minor injuries
- A$AP Rocky is facing two counts of assault with a firearm, according to Los Angeles DA George Gascon
- Gascon announced the charges saying: ‘Discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offense that could have ended with tragic consequences’
- Rocky is accused of shooting his former friend A$AP Relli following an argument
A$AP Rocky will face criminal assault charges in relation to the shooting of a former member of his posse the A$AP Mob.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon’s office announced the charges on Monday. Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, 33, is facing two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
The incident occurred in November 2021, when his girlfriend, Rihanna, was four months pregnant.
The rapper was not arrested in relation to the shooting until April 2022, a month before Ri-Ri gave birth. The Sundress singer was taken into custody at Los Angeles International airport as he boarded a private jet with his girlfriend.
Rocky will be arraigned on August 17.
In a statement, Gascon’s office said: ‘Discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offense that could have ended with tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood.’
The shooting occurred in November 2021, when his girlfriend, Rihanna, was four months pregnant
It continued: ‘My office conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this case and determined that the addition of a special firearm allegation was warranted.’
A$AP Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, claims the rapper shot him in the area of Selma and Argyle Avenues in Hollywood following an argument.
Rocky is accused of approaching an Relli on the street around 10.15pm on November 6 and firing a handgun at him three or four times.
One of the bullets reportedly grazed the Relli’s left hand and he later sought medical treatment. The LAPD said at the time that Relli sought medical treatment following the shooting.
After the shooting Rocky and two other men, who had reportedly been walking with, fled the scene.
Authorities collaborated with Relli and were ultimately able to name Mayers as a suspect in the shooting.
The case is still being investigated by the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Unit.
Rocky performs on the main stage during Day 1 of Wireless Festival 2022 at Crystal Palace Park on July 01, 2022 in London, England
The announcement of the charges against Rocky comes on the same day that Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon survived a second recall attempted, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In a region that has seen rising crime rates and brazen smash-and-grab robberies and home invasions, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascn was faulted for criminal justice reforms that critics said fueled lawlessness, which the top prosecutor disputed.
The failed attempt comes after San Francisco voters in June recalled another prominent California criminal justice reformer, District Attorney Chesa Boudin.
It was the second attempt to qualify a recall election that could remove Gascón, after an initial attempt failed last year.
“Los Angeles´ criminal justice reform movement has prevailed because this is a community that prefers facts over misplaced fear,” Cristine Soto DeBerry, executive director of the Prosecutors Alliance that promotes reforms, said in a statement.
In a tweet, Gascón wrote that he was “grateful to move forward from this attempted political power grab.”