A$AP Rocky not guilty of firearm assault on LA street

Rapper A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty of firing a gun at a former friend.

A jury in Los Angeles acquitted the musician, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, on two felony assault charges that carried up to 24 years in prison.

Terell Ephron claimed the Grammy-nominated hip-hop star opened fire at him during an argument on a Hollywood street on 6 November 2021, grazing his knuckles with one of the shots.

Mr Mayers, who is also a fashion mogul and the longtime partner of pop star Rihanna, denied the charges, arguing that the weapon was a prop gun and that his former friend, who calls himself A$AP Relli, was only after money.

As the first not-guilty verdict was read on Tuesday, the court rang with screams and clapping. Mr Mayers rushed to hug his family, who were seated behind him.

He hugged his lawyers and appeared to have tears in his eyes as the second not-guilty verdict was read.

"Thank God for saving my life," Mr Mayers said aloud. He thanked members of the 12-person jury.

The rapper was arrested on the two felony assault charges after a heated argument with his former friend in the heart of Hollywood.

Mr Mayers and Mr Ephron have known each other since high school in New York and were part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective.

Their relationship eroded over time as A$AP Rocky's career took off.

Authorities said Mr Ephron met Mr Mayers on 6 November 2021, a day after the pair had a disagreement.

They met outside a hotel about a block from the iconic pavement stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

A heated argument ensued.

Mr Mayers was alleged to have whipped out a gun from his waistband and pointed it at Mr Ephron, telling him: "I'll kill you right now."

"He looked me in my eyes and pointed the gun at me," Mr Ephron testified.

Mr Ephron said he told the rapper to fire the weapon, but Mr Mayers started walking away.

As he left, Mr Ephron followed, shouting.

Prosecutors alleged that at this point, Mr Mayers once again pulled out the gun and fired multiple shots, with one bullet said to have grazed Mr Ephron's knuckles.

Much of the trial hinged on whether the firearm in question was a harmless prop gun, as Mr Mayers's defence said, or a real weapon capable of causing harm, as Mr Ephron and prosecutors alleged.

The weapon has not been recovered by authorities.