Rihanna has made a rare personal statement on social media to celebrate A$AP Rocky's not-guilty verdict in his gun assault trial, which began on January 24, 2025.
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was acquitted by a Los Angeles jury on charges alleging he fired a gun at a former friend, A$AP Relli (born Terell Ephron), during a 2021 altercation in Hollywood. According to the BBC, Rocky was facing “two felony assault charges that carried up to 24 years in prison.” He had denied the charges and turned down a plea deal before the trial began.
After about three hours of jury deliberation, A$AP Rocky's not-guilty verdict was read with his partner, Rihanna, present. Immediately after hearing the decision on the first charge, the rapper was captured on video by those in the courtroom jumping over a wooden barrier to reach the gallery and embrace his partner and additional family members. Rihanna can be seen smiling widely in the video.
“Thank y'all for saving my life. Thank y'all for making the right decision,” A$AP Rocky reportedly told the jury while leaving the courtroom, per The Guardian. According to the Daily Mail, he was later spotted on a celebratory dinner in Beverly Hills with Rihanna; and that same evening, Rocky posted a simple message to X in which he seems to be using his experience as a cautionary tale for fans: “DON’T BE DUMB.”
In a post-trial interview outside the courtroom, Rocky told press and onlookers, "I gotta thank God first. And I really want to thank the jury for making the right decision, you know? I'm just so thankful. This is crazy right now. This whole experience has been crazy for the past four years, but I'm thankful, nonetheless. I'm thankful and blessed to be here as a free man talking to you all."
Rihanna, who was present in court during most of the weeks-long trial, also reacted to the verdict on her Instagram Story. “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!” she wrote in all capitals against a dark background, adding a praying hands emoji. Last week, during closing arguments on February 13, Rihanna brought RZA and Riot — the two young sons she shares with Rocky — along with her to court, per People.
According to The Guardian, during the trial, A$AP Relli testified that Rocky had fired two shots at him, grazing his knuckles. Rocky’s attorney Joe Tacopina and defense witnesses claimed the shots were blanks from a prop gun the rapper took from a music video set. Per AP, during opening statements, Tacopina claimed Relli reported the incident to law enforcement because that was the only way an attorney would agree to file a civil lawsuit against Rocky.
According to CNN, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman reacted to the verdict in a statement, saying: “Our office remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law, no matter their status or influence. Fame does not place anyone above the law, and we will not waver in our pursuit of justice for victims and the community.”
