A$AP Rocky’s Accuser Testifies in Hollywood Shooting Trial

A$AP Rocky’s Accuser Testifies in Hollywood Shooting Trial \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A$AP Relli, former friend of A$AP Rocky, testified that their strained relationship escalated before Rocky allegedly fired at him in Hollywood. Rocky has pleaded not guilty, with his defense claiming Relli fabricated the incident for financial gain. Prosecutors presented text messages and testimony, while police admitted finding no physical evidence at the scene.

A$AP Rocky Trial Quick Looks

• Accuser’s Testimony: A$AP Relli described his tense past with Rocky, alleging the rapper shot at him.
• Prosecution’s Case: Text messages show Rocky sought a meeting; Relli claims bullets grazed his knuckles.
• Defense’s Argument: Rocky’s lawyers say he fired a starter pistol, not a real gun, to break up a fight.
• Lack of Evidence: Police found no bullet holes, blood, or shell casings at the scene.
• Mysterious Missing Weapon: The defense admitted the supposed prop gun is no longer in their possession.
• Celebrity Absence: Rihanna, Rocky’s partner and mother of his children, has not attended court.

Deep Look

The trial of A$AP Rocky took a pivotal turn on Tuesday as his former friend and key witness, A$AP Relli, delivered emotional testimony about their fractured relationship and the night of the alleged shooting in Hollywood. The case, which has captured widespread attention due to Rocky’s celebrity status and high-profile relationship with Rihanna, hinges on Relli’s claim that the rapper fired a gun at him following a heated confrontation in November 2021.

Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. His defense team argues that no real shots were fired, maintaining that Rocky only discharged a starter pistol—one that shoots blanks—to defuse a fight.

A Decade-Long Friendship Gone Sour

Taking the stand, Relli—born Terell Ephron—provided insight into his complicated history with Rocky. The two first met in high school and were part of the A$AP collective, a group of young artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs in New York. Their bond was once strong, but Relli testified that Rocky became increasingly distant as his fame skyrocketed.

“I called him Mr. Six Month Man,” Relli said, explaining how their interactions dwindled over the years. “I would see him every six months. When he came around, it was fake. What are we supposed to be in this A$AP thing for?”

Despite feeling cast aside, Relli maintained that he had no desire to engage in a physical altercation with Rocky. He acknowledged that fighting the rapper would have severe consequences for his own career.

“If I fight him, my career would be over. Literally over,” he told the jury.

The Events Leading to the Confrontation

Relli testified that tensions between him and Rocky had been escalating for days before their encounter. The night before the alleged shooting, Relli claimed he overheard Rocky insulting him over speakerphone while riding in an SUV with a mutual friend. Rocky allegedly unleashed a barrage of slurs and expletives, apparently unaware that Relli could hear every word.

The next day, Rocky sent Relli a series of text messages demanding a face-to-face meeting.

“Where you at? Let’s get to it. Stop ducking my calls,” the messages read.

Relli testified that he initially believed the meeting would be a heated argument but ultimately lead to reconciliation. However, he claims Rocky had different intentions.

“He didn’t read the room,” Relli said. “He didn’t take a second to think.”

The Alleged Shooting in Hollywood

According to prosecutors, when Rocky and Relli finally met on November 6, 2021, the situation turned volatile. Relli claims Rocky suddenly pulled out a handgun and fired two shots in his direction. He said the bullets grazed his knuckles, though he did not sustain serious injuries.

Relli, who appeared nervous at the beginning of his testimony, grew more forceful as he described the confrontation. At one point, he told the jury, “I got anxiety.” Rocky, meanwhile, maintained a steady gaze on his former friend throughout the testimony, never looking away.

Defense Disputes the Shooting Claims

Rocky’s defense team has aggressively pushed back against Relli’s version of events, arguing that the entire incident has been fabricated as part of a civil lawsuit against Rocky. They claim Relli is driven by “jealousy, lies, and greed” and is exaggerating the story for financial gain.

More significantly, Rocky’s attorneys insist that no real gun was ever used. Instead, they argue that Rocky fired a starter pistol, a prop gun that only shoots blanks, in an attempt to break up a fight between Relli and another member of their crew.

However, a major question looms over the trial: Where is the alleged starter pistol?

When pressed by Judge Matthew Arnold, Rocky’s attorney Joe Tacopina made a startling admission.

“Does the prop gun exist?” the judge asked.

“The prop gun did exist,” Tacopina responded. “It does not now. We don’t have it.”

The defense has yet to explain how or why the gun disappeared, leaving the jury to weigh whether the missing weapon supports their claims—or raises further doubt.

Police Found No Physical Evidence at the Scene

One of the defense’s strongest arguments rests on the fact that law enforcement officers found no immediate evidence of a shooting.

During cross-examination, Sgt. Thomas Zizzo, one of the officers who responded to the scene, admitted that police found no bullet holes, no shell casings, and no traces of blood.

“There was no sign of a shooting?” attorney Joe Tacopina asked.

“No,” Zizzo replied.

“No blood?”

“No.”

“No bullet holes?”

“No.”

“No shell casings?”

“No.”

However, two days after the incident, Relli personally delivered two shell casings to the police, claiming to have found them at the scene. This development has fueled skepticism, particularly since body camera footage from the night of the alleged shooting showed officers thoroughly searching the area and finding nothing.

Sgt. Zizzo later acknowledged that while police “may have missed something,” the absence of immediate evidence raises legitimate concerns.

The Celebrity Factor: Where is Rihanna?

With A$AP Rocky’s high-profile relationship with Rihanna, many expected the pop superstar to make an appearance in court. However, she has remained absent from the proceedings.

Rocky’s legal team has stated that Rihanna is unlikely to attend, though they did not rule out a possible appearance. The couple shares two young sons, and Rihanna has kept a low profile regarding the case.

Adding an unexpected layer of celebrity intrigue, it was revealed that Sgt. Zizzo, the responding officer, is the son of Erika Jayne, a former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. His stepfather, Tom Girardi, is a disgraced attorney currently facing his own legal troubles in a separate Los Angeles trial.

What’s Next?

As the trial moves forward, the case remains a battle between two vastly different narratives. The prosecution argues that Rocky deliberately fired a gun at Relli, while the defense insists no real shots were fired and that Relli is using the case to gain financially.

The missing weapon, the delayed discovery of shell casings, and the absence of physical evidence make this a complex and highly scrutinized case.

A$AP Rocky’s future hangs in the balance as the jury weighs whether the prosecution has provided enough proof to convict the rapper—or if reasonable doubt will lead to an acquittal.

Regardless of the outcome, this trial has already exposed the deep fractures within the A$AP collective and the lasting impact of fame on long-standing friendships.

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