The trial of rapper A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, began in Los Angeles with opening statements on Friday. The 36-year-old faces two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, accused of shooting at former friend Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, during a heated confrontation in 2021.

Prosecutors allege Mayers drew a pistol during a meeting intended to resolve a dispute from the prior night. According to prosecutor Paul Bradley Przelomiec, Mayers pointed the weapon at Ephron, saying, “I’m going to kill you,” before firing and grazing Ephron’s hand. Defense attorneys countered, painting Ephron as a jealous ex-friend motivated by financial greed and attempting to extort Mayers.

Rakim Mayers, also known as ASAP Rocky, in court.

Jury selection for the case started earlier in the week, and Mayers faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted. Former District Attorney George Gascón emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting it could have endangered bystanders in Hollywood.

Mayers, who has pleaded not guilty, arrived at court in a gray suit, appearing composed during proceedings. His legal team claims Ephron acted out of resentment, partly due to claims Mayers didn’t pay for a funeral for a fellow group member.

The Grammy-nominated rapper, also known as Rihanna’s partner and father of their two children, has faced legal troubles before. In 2019, he was convicted of assault in Sweden after a street altercation, a case that drew attention from figures like President Donald Trump and Kim Kardashian. Despite limited music releases in recent years, Rocky remains in the public eye and is set to appear in Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest.