A$AP Rocky ran to embrace his partner Rihanna on Tuesday after he was found not guilty on two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.

Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, then hugged supporters and told the 12-person jury: “Thank y’all for saving my life.”

He was accused of pointing a handgun at Terell Ephron, a former friend, during a heated argument, before firing twice in Mr Ephron’s direction during a second confrontation. Both encounters occurred on Nov 6 2021.

Mr Ephron said he suffered a minor injury when his knuckles were grazed by a bullet.

The three-time Grammy nominee’s defence attorneys said the gun involved in the incident was a prop that the artist had used in a music video and only blanks. They claimed Mr Ephron was the aggressor in the confrontation.

Outside the courthouse, Mr Mayers told reporters: “We want to thank God first. This is crazy right now.

“I’m thankful and blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y’all.”