ASAP Rocky pleads not guilty to two counts of assault with a firearm in LA court
The US rapper, real name Rakim Mayers, appeared in person in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday to enter the pleas.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ASAP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a firearm, following an incident in Los Angeles last November.
The US rapper, real name Rakim Mayers, who recently welcomed his first child with Rihanna, appeared in person in an LA court on Wednesday to enter the pleas.
He was dressed in a dark suit, glasses and wore a black face mask and spoke only to confirm his name and acknowledge his rights.
During the incident, Mayers, 33, is alleged to have pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim, identified as fellow rapper ASAP Relli, before allegedly firing it in his direction in a subsequent confrontation.
Relli, real name Terell Ephron, is a former friend of Mayers, but filed a lawsuit against him last week.
In legal documents obtained by the PA news agency, lawyers for Relli said Mayer’s conduct had been “extreme and outrageous” and had caused their client to suffer “extreme emotional distress”.
“Defendant (Mayers) purposefully or with reckless disregard unlawfully brandished a firearm towards the plaintiff (Ephron),” the documents stated.
“Further, defendant purposefully or with reckless disregard caused a bullet projectile/fragment to hit the plaintiff.
“In both instances, defendant’s conduct was unlawful or otherwise extreme and outrageous.”
The filing added: “Defendant violated Penal Code Section 245 when he unlawfully aimed a loaded firearm and pointed it in the direction of the plaintiff.
“This action was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff to suffer physiological, mental, and emotional harm.”
Ephron has requested damages of 25,000 dollars (£20,600) over the incident, plus additional damages to cover his medical bills.
Judge Victoria B Wilson handed Mayers a restraining order, which states he must stay 100 yards away from Ephron at all times and set a preliminary trial date of November 2.
Mayers’ bail has been set at 550,000 (£456,500) dollars, which he has paid.