Rihanna and ASAP Rocky Cindy Ord/WireImage
ASAP Rocky leapt into partner Rihanna’s arms after being found not guilty in an assault trial that stemmed from a 2021 shooting.
In a video shared via X on Tuesday, February 18, the rapper, 36, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was seen lunging into the arms of Rihanna, also 36, right after the Los Angeles court’s verdict was delivered earlier that day.
“The jury … find the defendant, Rakim Mayers, not guilty,” a judge is heard telling the courtroom within the clip, which sparked loud cheering from the group. Rocky then immediately ran to Rihanna, diving headfirst over a partition and into her arms before the pair embraced within the front row of the courtroom.
Within the emotionally charged display of relief, Rocky was also briefly seen wrapping an arm around one other member of his legal team before quickly pushing past her as a way to reach Rihanna. (Rocky and Rihanna began dating in the summertime of 2020 and share two young sons together, RZA, 2, and Riot, 18 months.)
ASAP Rocky has been found not guilty in his assault trial stemming from a 2021 shooting incident. A Los Angeles jury found the 36-year-old rapper (born Rakim Mayers) not guilty on Tuesday, February 18, after closing arguments were accomplished on Friday, February 14, in line with CNN. Rocky had previously been charged with two felony counts […]
Because the pair held each other, additional supporters seated beside Rihanna were seen jumping up and down of their seats and wrapping their very own arms across the couple. Other members of Team Rocky also wiped tears from their eyes and hugged each other.
The jury found Rocky not guilty after closing arguments were accomplished on Friday, February 14, per CNN. Rocky had previously been charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon.
As soon as the decision was read on the primary count in his trial, A$AP Rocky bumped into Rihanna’s arms.
He was facing as much as 24 years in prison had he been convicted. pic.twitter.com/9vkyCKHoWm
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 19, 2025
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 19, 2025
Five witnesses testified for the prosecution over eight days throughout the case, by which Rocky was accused of firing 4 or five shots at childhood friend ASAP Relli (born Terell Ephron) on a Hollywood street in 2021.
Rihanna took to social media to interrupt her silence on Rocky’s verdict, writing via her Instagram Story on Tuesday evening, “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!” The “We Found Love” singer added a prayer hands emoji to the post.
Although Rihanna didn’t testify through the trial, she showed her support by attending Rocky’s trial on multiple occasions. Prior to her Instagram Story, Rihanna had not publicly commented on the trial or Rocky’s stance.
ASAP Rocky pleaded not guilty to 2 felony charges ahead of his upcoming trial. During his Monday, January 9, arraignment, Rocky, 35, (born Rakim Mayers) pleaded not guilty to 2 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The fees stem from a November 2021 incident by which Rocky allegedly fired a semiautomatic handgun at […]
Rocky originally pleaded not guilty and faced as much as 24 years in prison if convicted.
Relli, an aspiring music manager, was on the stand for about three days’ price of testimony, in line with the Associated Press.
He testified that after his friendship with Rocky ended and grew right into a feud, they’d a confrontation in Hollywood that led to Rocky firing two shots at him. Relli claimed that his knuckles were grazed, but he was otherwise not hurt.
