ASAP Rocky Dives Into Rihanna’s Arms After Being Declared Not Guilty Of Firearm Assault [Video]

American rapper, ASAP Rocky was overcome with emotion as he embraced his partner, Rihanna, after being found not guilty on two felony assault charges involving a firearm.

A jury in Los Angeles on Tuesday acquitted the musician, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, of allegations that could have led to a 24-year prison sentence.

His former friend, Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, had accused him of shooting at him during an argument in Hollywood on November 6, 2021, with one bullet grazing his knuckles.

A$AP Rocky, a well-known artist and fashion mogul, denied the claims, arguing that the gun was just a prop and that Ephron was trying to extort him for money.

When the first not-guilty verdict was read in court on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, cheers erupted from the audience full of his fans and his singing superstar partner.

Overcome with relief, Rocky leaped over a wooden barrier to hug Rihanna who was seated between his mother and sister. They embraced and sobbed.

As the second not-guilty verdict followed, he wiped away tears and hugged his legal team, expressing his gratitude, telling them, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”

The verdict came after a three-week trial, with jurors deliberating for only three hours before reaching a decision.

Before the trial, prosecutors had offered him a plea deal of six months in jail with probation, but he refused, maintaining his innocence.

The jury ultimately ruled in his favor, deciding that there was at least reasonable doubt regarding his guilt.

Throughout the trial, Rihanna showed her support, occasionally attending with their two young sons, RZA and Riot.

After the verdict, she and Rocky had to push through a crowd of photographers and fans outside the courthouse before leaving in an SUV.

Speaking to reporters, ASAP Rocky reflected on the experience, saying, “This whole experience has been crazy for the past 4 years. I’m thankful and it’s blessed to be here right now to be a free man talking to y’all.”

Los Angeles District Attorney, Nathan Hochman acknowledged the jury’s verdict, stating that his office remains committed to holding all individuals accountable, regardless of their fame or status.

The case had centered on a dispute between Rocky and Ephron, who were once part of the same A$AP Mob collective.

Prosecutors argued that Rocky had pulled a gun and fired at Ephron during a heated confrontation. However, Rocky’s defense insisted the weapon was a prop gun that only fired blanks, used as a warning because Ephron was allegedly attacking another crew member.

Jurors were also given the option to acquit Rocky if they believed he acted in self-defense. They ultimately agreed on his innocence, though their specific reasoning was not disclosed.

A$AP Rocky, who is having a major year in his career, can now move forward without legal troubles hanging over him.

He is set to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in March, co-chair the Met Gala in May, and star alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film “Highest 2 Lowest,” premiering this summer.

His attorney, Joe Tacopina, praised the jury for seeing through what he called a “mirage of a case” and emphasized that Rocky’s decision to reject a plea deal showed his confidence in the truth.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case, prosecutors urged jurors to ignore Rocky’s celebrity status, while suggesting that Rihanna’s presence with their children in court was an attempt to sway the verdict.

However, Tacopina dismissed those claims, saying Rihanna was determined to support Rocky, no matter what.

Rocky, who arrived over 30 minutes late for the verdict reading, looked tense as he awaited the decision. His relief was evident when the ruling was announced, leading to an emotional courtroom celebration.

“I didn’t know how athletic he was,” Tacopina joked afterward, describing ASAP Rocky’s dramatic leap into the audience. “That was raw emotion, you guys got to see that. Even for us it was insane.”

Watch the video below:

A$AP Rocky bursts into tears and hugs Rihanna after being found not guilty in the semiautomatic firearm case against A$AP Relli pic.twitter.com/O8z2pupvLc

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) February 19, 2025

NOT GUILTY

A$AP ROCKY HAS BEAT HIS CASE AFTER THE JURY FINDS HIM NOT GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES

THE COURTROOM ERUPTED INTO CELEBRATION AS A$AP ROCKY JUMPS INTO THE THE GALLERY TO HUG RIHANNA pic.twitter.com/QrLqueSsCP

— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) February 19, 2025

KanyiDaily recalls that Rihanna recently shared her struggles in motherhood, describing raising boys as an “Olympic sport”