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With Rihanna looking on, ASAP Rocky accuser describes alleged Hollywood shooting

BBG News

On Wednesday at a courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, Rihanna attended ASAP Rocky‘s trial for assault. She sat in the audience while crucial testimony related to an alleged gun incident was presented. This case has the potential to imprison her musical companion for close to two decades if found guilty.

Up on the witness stand was Terell Ephron, also known as ASAP Relli, one of the co-founders of the Harlem rap group ASAP Mob, which played a significant role in kickstarting Rocky’s career. Ephron stated that he arranged a meeting with Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, in Hollywood on November 6, 2021, primarily to mend their strained friendship.

According to Ephron’s testimony, the relationship between the two (people) started growing distant as Mayers’ fame escalated, while the rest of the ASAP crew grappled with finding their own success. Besides Mayers, it appears that many members of the ASAP team are now either financially struggling or living a less than desirable life.

Ephron referred to him as “Mr. Six-Month Man” because he’d visit every half a year. However, when he did show up, his behavior was insincere. Ephron wondered, given the urgency of the situation (ASAP), why there was so much deception involved, likening it to an illusion or trickery.

That evening, Ephron stated under oath, tensions were running high due to a heated exchange he’d overheard on Mayers’ phone call the previous day, where Mayers was disparaging him. Furthermore, Ephron misunderstood that Mayers had not fulfilled his promise to cover the funeral costs of an ASAP collective member who had tragically passed away from an overdose.

Ephron had hoped to settle things with Mayers at their meeting by the W Hotel during the evening of the incident, but when Mayers arrived accompanied by two other members of ASAP Mob, an argument broke out right away.

Everything seemed surreal, reminiscent of a film scene, especially his stride… It took me by surprise, leaving me speechless as if there wasn’t even a moment for conversation,” Ephron expressed.

Prosecutors have accused Mayers of shooting at Ephron, who suffered a graze wound on his hand.

In this case, Mayers is accused of two instances of assault using a dangerous instrument, and he may face additional penalties due to the involvement of a firearm during the alleged incident. However, Mayers’ legal team has maintained his innocence, arguing that the weapon involved in the incident was merely a prop used for a music video that couldn’t shoot real bullets.

California

On Friday, prosecutors started presenting their arguments against rapper A$AP Rocky (also known as Rakim Mayers) regarding a 2021 shooting case in Hollywood. If found guilty, Mayers could potentially spend close to two decades behind bars.

9:45 in the morning, I made my way to the courthouse, surrounded as always by my entourage and swarmed by the media. Yet, my significant other wasn’t there to meet me. It wasn’t until around 10 a.m. that Rihanna was confirmed to be present – she was discreetly seated among my family, wrapped in a black coat, her gaze shielded behind glasses, as reported by the journalists.

In today’s proceedings at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, it was observed that the artist known for “Umbrella” was closely observing Ephron’s testimony. Although she is not a witness in this case, her connection to Mayers was brought up during jury selection. Judge Mark Arnold did not acknowledge her presence explicitly, and it remains unclear whether the jurors were aware of her courtroom visit.

Her representatives have not responded to prior requests for comments on the case.

The video available depicts the encounter between Mayers and Ephron, yet it fails to capture the entire event on camera.

A video depicts an individual in a hoodie, allegedly Mayers according to prosecutors and Ephron, physically restraining Ephron by her head and neck before retrieving a firearm from his waistband. Another recording offers a distant view but fails to clearly reveal anyone’s face; however, it does pick up the sound of two distinct popping noises that resemble gunshots.

Attorney Joe Tacopina, representing Mayers, has stated that the object in question is a “mock firearm” which can only discharge blank rounds. He’s expected to start questioning Ephron on Thursday.

According to Ephron, Mayers brandished a firearm towards his own head, face, and chest during their heated argument. Despite this, Ephron maintained that he had no desire for the situation to escalate into violence, asserting instead that he valued his long-standing friendship with Mayers and wished to avoid damaging his career in the music industry.

California

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Rakim Mayers, famously known as ASAP Rocky in the hip-hop scene, is set to take center stage at this year’s Rolling Loud festival and assume the role of chair for the Met Gala. However, his participation hinges on the outcome of his trial related to a shooting incident in Hollywood back in 2021. Fingers crossed for a favorable verdict!

If I were to face Rocky in a fight, it would mean I’m not well-regarded by many. Given that scenario, it’s almost certain that I’ll be ostracized or boycotted by the record labels who are fond of him and collaborate with him, as Ephron stated.

The confrontation paused when a pair strolled by, as reported by Ephron. However, even though the situation seemed to be calming down, Ephron claimed he observed one of the men Mayers had accompanied – Jamel Phillips, also known as ASAP 12vvy – hiding a knife. At that moment, Ephron asserted, he felt deceived and enraged.

Ephron exclaimed, “Wow, no way! I was with them, yelling at the top of my voice about how Rocky let us down and how Jamel had toured with Rocky for eight or nine years, only to return to the projects.” Ephron added, “I thought I’d never see this guy again… if I hadn’t spotted the knife, I might have left.

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2025-01-30 00:01

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