A$AP Rocky dives into crying Rihanna’s arms after jury delivers verdict in 2021 shooting case

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky dived and hugged his partner after he was declared not guilty on all counts on Tuesday, February 18, by jurors in his felony criminal trial.

The rapper was charged with a pair of felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic gun in the November 2021 shooting in Hollywood of his one-time friend, A$AP Relli, according to Daily Mail.

A$AP Rocky rushes to embrace an emotional Rihanna after jury's verdict

The 'Stay' songstress was seen in tears as her boyfriend ran and hugged her. Her partner could have faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted in the case.

A$AP Rocky thanked the jury, consisting of seven women and five men, as he left the courtroom. He said, "Thanks y´all for saving my life."

Meanwhile, Rihanna posted on Instagram on Tuesday evening, "THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE! THANKFUL, HUMBLED BY HIS MERCY!"

A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, had an emotional moment when he hugged his lawyers after the verdict. The jury reached a unanimous decision after the conclusion of the closing arguments in the case last week.

A$AP Rocky declined prosecutors' offer of six-month jail sentence

Notably, A$AP Rocky had earlier declined an offer from prosecutors of a six-month jail sentence and probation, per the outlet. As per the offer, A$AP Rocky would have had to plead guilty to one count in the case.

The trial began on January 24, after Rocky turned down the plea offer, insisting he was innocent. 

Prosecutors in the case said that the rapper shot twice at his former friend, A$AP Relli.

Relli testified that he was unharmed aside from a bullet grazing his knuckle.

But Rocky's legal team mentioned that the shots fired were blanks from a prop gun he got from the set of a music video he was working on, per the outlet.

On Tuesday, the jury found there was not enough evidence to convict Rocky. The rapper celebrated the verdict with Rihanna and his legal team in the courtroom and after they left the building, per Daily Mail.

Notably, Rihanna drew attention during her court outings to support her A$AP Rocky, with whom she shares two children - RZA and Riot Rose. 

In several outings, the songstress was seen sitting between A$AP Rocky's mother Renee Black, and sister Erika B Mayers. Furthermore, Rihanna had also brought their children to the court for closing arguments in the felony case.

Rihanna was also mentioned numerous times when attorneys conducted jury selection, amid speculation of how her presence could influence the jurors.