Text messages sent by A$AP Rocky to A$AP Relli following the alleged shooting incident four years prior were presented in open court during the rapper’s trial on Wednesday (January 29).
The previous friends communicated just hours following the purported incident, for which Rocky faces trial on two felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
Relli, whose real name is Terrell Ephron, started the text conversation and alleged that the Harlem rapper had betrayed him, to which Rocky responded: “I tried to do what?? … Stop fabricating things, Rell.”
Relli subsequently texted Pretty Flacko to inform him that security cameras recorded the incident, which an irate Rocky saw as an extortion effort.
He responded: “Now you’re trying to blackmail people saying I shot at you and hit you 4 times and all that nonsense, you’re fake and you don’t mean well, stop messaging me and stop bugging my manager, call the police if I ‘shot’ at you, you creep.”
A$AP Relli’s statement, where Rocky’s partner Rihanna was in attendance, included his assertion that his life has turned into a “living hell” following the shooting in November 2021.
A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli communicated through text messages shortly after Rocky reportedly shot at Relli, with Rocky refuting allegations of attempting to kill Relli and labeling him a liar and a “weirdo.”
I just took a seat in the courtroom for A$AP Rocky’s gun assault trial, and Rihanna is in the gallery alongside Rocky’s mother and sister.
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 29, 2025
The ex A$AP Mob member stated that he faced death threats, lost his music management business, and was publicly labeled a “rat” by A$AP Bari.
Read more: Rihanna Set to Be Present at A$AP Rocky Trial on Wednesday
On his initial day testifying, Relli recounted the circumstances that resulted in his encounter with A$AP Rocky.
He recounted the instance when Rocky supposedly aimed a gun at him, stating: “I urged him to use it.” Because I couldn’t accept it mentally. I simply couldn’t comprehend that there was a gun pointed at me. “That was the turning point for me.”
He also asserted that Rocky said to him, “I’ll kill you right now” while aiming the gun at him.
Prosecutors claim that the rapper discharged the firearm two times, grazing Relli’s hand.
Read more: A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles is scheduled to start with opening remarks
Rocky has asserted that he only discharged a prop gun that fires blanks and that he possessed it for safety. Nonetheless, his legal team has acknowledged that the starter pistol is no longer present.
Rocky could receive a prison sentence of up to 24 years if found guilty.
