Rapper A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Los Angeles to two felony charges stemming from a 2021 shooting in Hollywood.
Wearing a dark-colored suit and face mask, the rapper walked past a group of photographers as they shouted questions, before entering the Criminal Courts Building in downtown L.A. for his 8:30 a.m. arraignment.
The hearing came two days after the hip-hop star, real name is Rakim Mayers, was charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The charges include allegations that Mayers personally used a firearm.
Related Story: A$AP Rocky Found Guilty of Assault by Swedish Court
District Attorney George Gascón issued a statement Monday saying the rapper must be held accountable.
“Discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offense that could have ended with tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood,” Gascón said. “My office conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this case and determined that the addition of a special firearm allegation was warranted.”
Mayers allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at a former associate during a heated discussion on Nov. 6, 2021. The rapper is accused of firing twice in the direction of the victim, who suffered a minor injury.
After several months, LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division detectives took Mayers into custody on April 20 at Los Angeles International Airport as he returned from Barbados on a private plane with his girlfriend Rihanna, as previously reported.
He remains free on $550,000 bail and has another court appearance scheduled on Nov. 2.
In August 2019, the rapper and two associates were found guilty in Sweden of assault following a street fight with men A$AP Rocky described on social media as “drug addicts.”
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