A$AP Rocky to Stand Trial for New Gun Charges

A judge determined there was enough evidence to send A$AP Rocky to court for assault with a firearm after allegedly shooting a childhood friend.

Rapper A$AP Rocky will stand trial in January after firing a semi-automatic handgun at former friend A$AP Relli.

The shot was fired after a heated discussion between the two. Last Monday in Los Angeles, Judge M.L. Villar ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the rapper to stand trial.

Rocky had previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a firearm back in August of 2022. “I am certain Rocky will be vindicated of all this,” stated the rapper’s lawyer.

During the hearing, a new surveillance video was shared by Detective Frank Flores, along with evidence shown in the hearing earlier this month. In the new surveillance footage, two loud pops, which the persecution team claimed to be the alleged shooting, were heard but not seen.

Detective Flores confirmed that he had reviewed the footage in his investigation and the rapper had a gun in his hand during the time of the altercation. Under cross-examination, it was revealed that the gun was never recovered and the two bullets recovered from the scene and turned in to police two days later had no fingerprints.

Rocky’s trial is currently set to begin on January 8. Relli filed a civil suit last August, citing assault, battery, and emotional distress against the rapper, according to case documents. Rocky has denied all claims. Moreover, Relli is a former fellow member of the hip-hop group A$AP mob, alongside his high school classmate and lifelong friend, Rocky.

Relli asserted that he was hit by bullet fragments, following their argument. During the court proceedings, he mentioned seeking required medical care at a hospital in New York City. Surveillance videos have been shown in court, showing the altercation between the two.

Later Relli admitted that he waited two days to call 911 after the incident because he wanted to retain a lawyer first. Subsequently, Rocky was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on April 20, 2022, and was released on bail later that same day.

Outside the court, Rocky was asked whether he asked Rihanna to attend his trial. Rocky’s lawyer responded, “He would never subject his family, he wants to shield them, he’s handling it like Rocky would handle something, he protects his family.”

Relli is currently suing the rapper for over $25,000 in general damages, additional money to cover his medical bills and punitive damages of an unknown amount in civil court. Rocky will be arraigned on January 8, 2024.