A $ AP Rocky’s previous friend testifies to alleged shooting as the rapper faces decades in jail

Terrell Ephron, also known by his moniker A $ AP Relli, took the witness on Tuesday in the assault attempt by rapper A $ AP Rocky and accused his former friend of shooting a gun against him during a confrontation between the two in Hollywood in 2021.

Prosecutors asked Ephron about the order of events after he testified to an argument in which the rapper whose legal name is Rakim Mayers allegedly branded a gun.

When asked why he would follow someone he knew had a gun, Ephron said that when it was a busy street in Hollywood, he thought Mayers certainly wouldn’t shoot him. Mayers and Ephron were childhood friends and both part of the Harlem-based Rap Collective A $ AP mob.

“(Rocky) turned around and then it was like Boom!” Said Ephron, talking about the alleged shooting. “It was all like a movie he pointed out, and he shot the first shot.”

Ephron said his hand was the “grass” of a bullet and felt “hot.” He said he then grabbed one of their friends and was behind him to get cover, and then Mayers were allegedly fired again before leaving the stage.

Prosecutors concluded their questions about Ephron on Wednesday, but he is expected back to the witness Stand on Thursday to meet a cross -examination.

During the opening of arguments last week, Mayers’ main lawyer Joe Tacopina told the members of the jury that they will hear from several witnesses during the trial that will testify that the gun seen in the surveillance video is often used in movies and music videos. Asked prior to the trial if Mayers is expected to take the position, Tacopina did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Mayers-a Grammy-nominated Hip-Hop star and partner of pop star Rihanna-been accused of August 15, 2022 with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm to allegedly shoot a gun twice in the direction of the alleged victim during a confrontation. He did not plead guilty. If convicted, the New York rapper could have up to 24 years in prison.

Rihanna, who shares two young sons with Mayers, made her first performance during the trial when she attended the procedure on Wednesday.

At the forefront of election of jury last week, Mayers were offered a plea who included a 180-day prison, but he refused to accept it, confirmed prosecutors and his main lawyer to ABC News.

“He was offered a plea, but is not interested because he is actually innocent,” Tacopina told ABC News.

A jury of seven women and five men was elected Thursday, and testimony began Friday after prosecutors and Mayers’ defense team delivered their opening arguments.

Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec delivered the prosecution’s opening declarations and argued for the jury that a number of videos show that the rapper fired a gun against Ephron.

Prosecutors also presented the jury with a series of cards identifying photos, a 911 call from the evening to the incident and several videos recorded by surveillance cameras in the area.

“This is not a complicated case. The evidence shows that the events in this case were caught on surveillance video,” said Przelomiec.

In the defense’s opening declarations, Tacopina claimed that the rapper is “innocent” and that Ephron is seeking financial gain.

“This is about a man’s lies, jealousy and greed,” Tacopina told the jury and threw the case as “all about money.”

Ephron emerged as a victim of the alleged assault and filed a civil trial on August 10, 2022, accused Mayers of assault, battery that applied emotional distress and negligence. He claimed he was “firmly by spherical project/fragments” during the alleged assault.

The court’s records show that Mayers refused all offense in his response to the complaint.

Ephron also filed a defense direction on September 19, 2023, when Mayers and his legal team were named, including Tacopina. The court’s documents show that Mayers and his lawyers in their response to the complaint denied “every claim” described in the suit.

According to the Court’s registers, both cases await.

ABC News reached out to Tacopina and Ephron’s lawyer Jamal Tooson for further comment.