A$AP Rocky is back in the headlines, but this time, it’s not for his out-of-this-world fashion choices or the never-ending saga of album delays. Back in November 2021, in the heart of Hollywood, tensions between the rapper and his former friend, A$AP Relli (also a member of A$AP Mob), reached a boiling point — and allegedly, shots were fired. In 2023, Relli testified that one of the bullets grazed his knuckles, seeking medical care once he returned to New York.
Fast forward to 2022, and Rocky found himself cuffed at LAX, facing two counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon. Now, three years later, the trial has finally kicked off with a bang. From eyebrow-raising ballistics reports, potential money schemes, Rihanna sightings, and fight-worthy text messages, there’s plenty to break down.
Why is a ballistics report making headlines?
From the first day of the trial (January 24th), controversy was already brewing thanks to a missing ballistics report. Deputy District Attorney John Lewin revealed that he had only just received the report from the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division the day before, despite it being dated from last January.
The report showed results for two gun casings that A$AP Relli allegedly found at the scene of the crime and handed over to police. It concludes that the casings were consistent with certain 9mm handguns, such as a Glock 43.
This was relevant and shocking information because when Rocky’s home was raided in April 2022, police found a 9 mm magazine that, according to the new report, could now be considered crucial evidence.
The last-minute discovery of the report infuriated Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, who immediately filed a motion to suppress the report, along with a request for a new jury — likely referencing the one juror who works as a firearm instructor.
Despite Tacopina’s outrage, Judge Arnold sided with the prosecution, ruling that the report was likely just an accident. The trial proceeded as planned.
What is A$AP Rocky’s defense?
A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli are presenting two completely different accounts of what happened.
Rocky’s defense team argues that the gun in question was a prop, a claim that will reportedly be supported by testimony from A$AP Twelvyy and Rocky’s tour manager, Lou Levin. According to Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, Rocky carries the gun due to being “the victim of prior violence [and] stalker home invasions.”
On the other hand, prosecutors argue that Relli showed up to meet Rocky with the intention of resolving their issues. Instead, an argument ensued, which ultimately led to Rocky allegedly shooting Relli.
“This is not a complicated case. The evidence will show that the events were captured on surveillance video,” said L.A. County DA Paul Przelomiec in his opening statement.
On the first day of the trial, jurors were shown the surveillance footage along with text messages exchanged shortly after the alleged shooting. One message from Relli reads, “U try killing me,” to which Rocky responds, “wtf iz ut talking about.”
What did A$AP Relli say on the stand?
According to the prosecution, there were two confrontations between Rocky and Relli on the day of the incident. The second linkup is when Rocky allegedly opened fire on his former friend and A$AP Mob member.
While on the stand, Relli said he couldn’t remember everything that went down that day. However, he did testify that “Rocky said ‘I’ll kill you right now’ as he pointed the gun at him, telling jurors it was pointed ‘like towards my stomach, like towards like my head and shoulder…”
Relli was allegedly “furious” over the situation and in shock because “mentally, I couldn’t believe he just pulled a gun out on me.”
Rihanna appears in court for heated testimony
While she wasn’t shown on camera, A$AP Rocky’s partner Rihanna came in on day three and sat with Rocky’s family to hear Relli’s testimony. However, people were finally able to get footage of her leaving the courthouse at the end of the week.
The cross-examination between Relli and Rocky’s lawyer, Tacopina, started on day three, causing “fireworks” in the courtroom.
Relli stated during day two’s proceedings that Rocky allegedly pointed the gun toward his stomach and that Rocky said he was going to kill him. However, Tacopina, on day four (January 30), brought up a 2022 prosecutor’s interview where Relli says instead that “the gun was pressed into his stomach, and he hadn’t remembered what Rocky said,” showing inconsistencies in Relli’s story.
Tacopina mainly focused on“Relli’s attitude toward Rocky leading up to the shooting. Relli was frequently frustrated and evasive, demanding to know why he was being asked certain questions and answering, ‘I don’t recall’ before others were even finished.” Eventually, Tacopina and Relli had a popcorn-worthy heated exchange, resulting in a 10-minute break for everyone to calm down.
What did A$AP Relli’s text messages reveal?
The text messages shown in court that day added fuel to the fire brewing between Relli and Tacopina.
Before the confrontation even took place, Relli allegedly texted Rocky, “you got all this fake animosity towards me lol beat me up,” “ni*** I wish u would,” “Give me a reason ni***” and “U been a pu***…” Relli initially said the texts were fake but eventually admitted to deleting some of the messages between them.
Wait, there’s more.
According to TMZ, Relli told Rocky the confrontation was caught on surveillance footage. In response, Rocky allegedly said, “now u trynna extort n***** talkin bout i shot at u n shot u 4 times and all type of nonsense, u a phony and u dont have the best intentions, stop texting me n stop calling my manager and call police if i ‘shot’ @ u u weirdo.”
How did the gun casings make a reappearance?
During the last day of court for the week, January 31, Tacopina revealed another key element of his defense — that Relli already had two discharged shell casings before the alleged incident with Rocky took place. Reli denied ever shooting a 9 mm handgun like the ones found in Rocky’s house from the 2022 raid. However, Tacopina had receipts with a video of Relli on a shooting range in October 2021.
And it doesn’t end there. Tacopina also brought up a recording of Relli allegedly saying that if Rocky paid him off over the shooting, he’d “disappear to an island” and that “the district attorney wouldn’t be able to find him.” The jury didn’t actually get to hear the recording because it wasn’t entered as evidence. Relli, of course, denied ever saying such a thing. Still, Tacopina and Rocky’s team are clearly staying laser-focused on Relli, and it looks like they’re not letting up anytime soon.
