MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: Asap Rocky wears black sunglasses, a white shirt, a black tie, a black striped print pattern oversized blazer jacket, outside Gucci, during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023/2024 on February 24, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
A$AP Rocky has been ordered to return to court in Los Angeles, California for a preliminary hearing on June 5. According to Daily Mail, a judge will determine if Rocky will stand trial for allegedly shooting A$AP Relli in 2021.
A$AP Relli is a former friend of Rocky’s, as well as a former A$AP Mob member.
As The Shade Room previously reported, Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Meyers, was arrested on April 20, 2022, for “assault with a deadly weapon” over an alleged shooting that took place in November 2021.
Within three hours, Rocky was released from jail after paying a $550,000 bond.
A$AP Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, came forward as the alleged victim in August 2022, as reported by The Shade Room. He alleged that Rocky “lured him to an obscure location in central Hollywood,” to “discuss a disagreement between the two of them.”
A statement from Relli’s attorneys, Jamal Tooson and Brian Hurwitz, further provided more details.
“Unbeknownst to Mr. Ephron, A$AP Rocky was not just planning for a conversation and came armed with a semi-automatic handgun. After arriving at the location, a conversation ensued whereby without provocation, warning, or any justification, A$AP Rocky produced the handgun and intentionally fired multiple shots at Mr. Ephron.”
In addition, A$AP Relli alleged the was hit by bullet fragments during the shooting and his injuries required medical attention. Additionally, the former A$AP Mob group mate filed a “civil assault and battery lawsuit” against Rocky, accusing him of the same actions.
As previously reported by The Shade Room, A$AP Rocky was officially charged with “two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm” on August 15, 2022. On August 17, Rocky appeared in court for the alleged shooting.
Additionally, the rapper entered a not-guilty plea.
Judge Victoria Wilson also set in motion a protective order, which prevented Rocky from “possessing any firearms or ammunition.” The order also prohibits him “from contacting or coming within 100 yards,” of Relli.
According to court documents obtained by Complex in September 2022, Rocky denied Relli’s allegations. The filing reportedly read:
“Answering defendant generally denies each and every allegation of the complaint, and specifically denies that plaintiff has been damaged in any amount or in any way as a result of any act or omission of answering defendant.”
Furthermore, Rocky alleged that Relli’s injuries “were caused solely, directly and proximately by the negligent and/or intentional acts or omissions” of someone else. Additionally, Rocky asserted that Relli “failed to exercise reasonable care to avoid the consequences of harm.”
Additionally, Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, referred to Relli’s lawsuit as “an extortion” attempt.
“Rocky didn’t commit a crime. It was an extortion attempted by a former associate, who threatened to make false criminal accusations if Rocky didn’t pay him. What will become abundantly clear in the upcoming months, based on facts and evidence, is that Rocky is innocent of these charges.”
According to Daily Mail, Rocky was not present in the case’s latest court gathering on Tuesday. Despite this, Judge Kerry White scheduled a preliminary hearing for June 5.
Rocky, who is still out on his $550,000 bail, will be expected to attend the court proceeding. Additionally, Judge White will determine if the alleged shooting case will go to trial.
The rapper faces two charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Additionally, he can serve “up to four years in prison on each count if convicted.” As previously explained by Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, the alleged shooting could have resulted in “tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood.”
Furthermore, the district attorney explained that there was a “thorough review not the evidence in this case” and A$AP Relli’s “special firearm allegation was warranted.”
As previously reported by The Shade Room, Rocky is expecting his second child with his girlfriend Rihanna. According to TMZ, the pair welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on May 13, 2022, in Los Angeles.
