A$AP Rocky charged with assault with a firearm after shooting former friend during row’

US rapper A$AP Rocky will face criminal assault charges in relation to a shooting that left a former member of his posse the A$AP Mob suffering from minor injuries, the Los Angeles District Attorney has confirmed.

The 33 year old rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is facing two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.

The incident took place on November 6, 2021, when his girlfriend, pop-sensation Rihanna, was four months pregnant with their first child, a baby boy.

He was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident in April 2022.

Announcing the charges on Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said: “Discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offence that could have ended with tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood.”

He then continued: “My office conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this case and determined that the addition of a special firearm allegation was warranted.”

Rocky is due to be arraigned on August 17 in a courtroom in downtown Los Angeles.

According to the DA, during a heated discussion in Hollywood on November 6, 2021, Rocky allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim.

In a subsequent confrontation between the pair, he then allegedly drew the semi-automatic handgun and fired twice in the direction of the victim, prosecutors said.

The victim in the case, was revealed to be a member of Rocky’s own posse, A$AP Relli in an article by Rolling Stone earlier this month.

Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, claims the rapper shot him in the area of Selma and Argyle Avenues in Hollywood following an argument.

Rocky is accused of approaching Relli on the street at around 10.15pm on the evening of November 6. He is then alleged to have fired a handgun at him three or four times.

Relli’s legal team told the publication: “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.”

One of the bullets reportedly grazed Relli's left hand and he later sought medical treatment for his injuries.

After the shooting Rocky and two other men, who were reportedly present, fled the scene.

Alongside the criminal case, Relli’s legal team also told the publication that Relli would be taking Rocky to civil court as he accused him of causing “irreparable harm to his career in the entertainment industry.”

Authorities collaborated with Relli and were formally able to name Rocky as a suspect in the case.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery/Homicide Division.

Prior to his arrest in April, investigators raided Rocky’s home where they were able to recover several firearms.

During that same month he was held on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon charge.

The rapper was freed on a $550,000 bail.

Earlier in August, Relli’s lawyers had publicly shared the distress the aspiring rapper was suffering as they told TMZ he had been hit with death threats and been labelled a “snitch” following the shooting.

The attorneys also revealed that since the shooting, he had been in therapy.

OK! has reached out to both A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli's representatives for comment.

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