Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are celebrating a major legal victory after the rapper was found not guilty on two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. The verdict, read on February 18th, marked the end of a three-year-long case that stemmed from an alleged shooting incident involving Rocky’s former friend and bandmate, Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli.
Emotional Moment in Court
As soon as the not guilty verdict was announced, Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, wasted no time rushing over to Rihanna for an emotional embrace. The couple, who have been together since 2019 and share two sons, have been a picture of strength throughout the legal proceedings.
Shortly after the verdict, Rihanna took to Instagram Stories to share her gratitude, writing:
“The Glory belongs to God and God Alone. Thankful, humbled by His mercy.”
Her message reflected the relief and gratitude she and Rocky must have felt after months of uncertainty.
The Case Against Rocky
The allegations against A$AP Rocky date back to November 6, 2021, when Ephron claimed that Rocky fired a gun at him during an argument on a Hollywood sidewalk. According to Ephron, a bullet grazed his hand, but Rocky’s defense team strongly denied the claim.
Instead, they argued that Rocky had only used a prop weapon that fired blanks and accused Ephron of making up the story to extort money from the rapper. Rocky was arrested in 2022 but was quickly released on a $550,000 bail.
During the trial, Rocky was reportedly offered a plea deal, which he declined. His attorney, Joe Tacopina, made it clear why:
“He’s actually innocent.”
Rihanna’s Unwavering Support
Throughout the trial, Rihanna stood firmly by Rocky’s side, attending court proceedings and bringing their sons, RZA and Riot Rose, to closing arguments on February 13th. While she never spoke publicly about the case, her actions spoke volumes about her dedication to Rocky and their family.
In an interview last year, Rihanna emphasized how much her family means to her, saying:
“They bring purpose to every aspect of my life. Everything has to be intentional and everything has to be worth it—especially when it takes me away from them.”
Now that Rocky has been cleared of charges, the couple can finally move forward, focusing on their love, music, and growing family.