ASAP Rocky leapt into partner Rihanna’s arms after being found not guilty in an assault trial that stemmed from a 2021 shooting.
In a video shared via X on Tuesday, February 18, the rapper, 36, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was seen lunging into the arms of Rihanna, also 36, right after the Los Angeles court’s verdict was delivered earlier that day.
“The jury … find the defendant, Rakim Mayers, not guilty,” a judge is heard telling the courtroom in the clip, which sparked loud cheering from the crowd. Rocky then immediately ran to Rihanna, diving headfirst over a partition and into her arms before the pair embraced in the front row of the courtroom.
In the emotionally charged display of relief, Rocky was also briefly seen wrapping an arm around another member of his legal team before quickly pushing past her in order to reach Rihanna. (Rocky and Rihanna began dating in the summer of 2020 and share two young sons together, RZA, 2, and Riot, 18 months.)
As the pair held one another, additional supporters seated beside Rihanna were seen jumping up and down in their seats and wrapping their own arms around the couple. Other members of Team Rocky also wiped tears from their eyes and hugged one another.
The jury found Rocky not guilty after closing arguments were completed on Friday, February 14, per CNN. Rocky had previously been charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon.
As soon as the verdict was read on the first count in his trial, A$AP Rocky ran into Rihanna’s arms.
He was facing up to 24 years in prison had he been convicted. pic.twitter.com/9vkyCKHoWm
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 19, 2025
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 19, 2025
Five witnesses testified for the prosecution over eight days throughout the case, in which Rocky was accused of firing four or five shots at childhood friend ASAP Relli (born Terell Ephron) on a Hollywood street in 2021.
Rihanna took to social media to break her silence on Rocky’s verdict, writing via her Instagram Story on Tuesday evening, “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!” The “We Found Love” singer added a prayer hands emoji to the post.
Rihanna and ASAP Rocky Cindy Ord/WireImage
Although Rihanna did not testify during the trial, she showed her support by attending Rocky’s trial on multiple occasions. Prior to her Instagram Story, Rihanna had not publicly commented on the trial or Rocky’s stance.
ASAP Rocky pleaded not guilty to two felony charges ahead of his upcoming trial. During his Monday, January 9, arraignment, Rocky, 35, (born Rakim Mayers) pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stem from a November 2021 incident in which Rocky allegedly fired a semiautomatic handgun at […]
Rocky originally pleaded not guilty and faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted.
Relli, an aspiring music manager, was on the stand for about three days’ worth of testimony, according to the Associated Press.
He testified that after his friendship with Rocky ended and grew into a feud, they had a confrontation in Hollywood that led to Rocky firing two shots at him. Relli claimed that his knuckles were grazed, but he was otherwise not hurt.
