A$AP Rocky charged with assault with semiautomatic firearm following 2021 Hollywood shooting
A$AP Rocky has been charged with assault with a firearm for allegedly firing a semi-automatic handgun against a former friend in Hollywood, California in November 2021.
In a news release posted online Monday, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office announced the 33-year-old rapper, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, faces two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm with allegations of personally using a firearm.
"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," District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. "My office conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this case and determined that the addition of a special firearm allegation was warranted."
USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Rocky for comment.
Rocky had been part of an ongoing investigation into a Nov. 6 shooting in which an argument escalated and "resulted in the suspect firing a handgun at the victim," according to the tweeted statement from the LAPD in April.
The victim, according to police, received medical attention sustaining only minor injuries. Police said Rocky and two other men fled the scene on foot.
The District Attorney's Office said Rocky's arraignment is set for Aug. 17.
In April, police arrested the rapper at the Los Angeles International Airport in connection with the shooting, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed at the time.
The Grammy-nominated rapper was returning from a trip in Barbados with singer Rihanna when officers detained him at LAX before arresting him for "assault with a deadly weapon."
The rapper was later released from custody after posting bail of $550,000, LAPD confirmed to USA TODAY.
A$AP Rocky arrested at Los Angeles airport as the suspect of a November shooting
A member of the Harlem hip hop collective A$AP Mob, Rocky first made his mark in music with the single "Peso" in 2011. His 2013 debut album, "Long. Live. A$AP," went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, as did its 2015 follow-up, "At. Long. Last. A$AP." He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.
He is in a relationship with Rihanna, and the two had a son in May.
Rihanna, A$AP Rocky welcome first child after internet-breaking pregnancy
He was the focus of international attention in 2019 after being detained for nearly a month in Sweden following a street brawl. He was found guilty of assault and given a "conditional sentence" that meant no additional time in jail.
Contributing: Elise Brisco, USA TODAY; Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A$AP Rocky faces semiautomatic firearm assault charges after arrest
