LOS ANGELES – Rapper Tory Lanez, currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting fellow hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion, was attacked inside a California prison on Monday morning, authorities have confirmed.
The rapper, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, is being held at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. The attack happened around 7:20 a.m. in a housing unit inside the prison.
Lanez Was Seriously Injured in the Attack
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact details of the attack. However, a statement posted on Lanez’s Instagram later that day claimed he was stabbed 14 times, causing both lungs to collapse. The post said Lanez was stabbed in the back, torso, head, and face, but is now breathing on his own.
The post also mentioned that despite the serious injuries, Lanez is talking, in good spirits, and grateful to be alive.
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
Prison staff responded immediately, providing first aid and calling 911. Lanez was quickly transferred to an outside hospital for treatment, according to Pedro Calderon Michel, a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
An internal investigation is being carried out by the prison’s security team, and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office is also looking into the case.
Why Is Tory Lanez in Prison?
Lanez, now 32, was convicted in December 2022 on three serious charges:
- Assault with a semiautomatic firearm
- Carrying a loaded, unregistered weapon in a vehicle
- Firing a gun with gross negligence
These charges are connected to a July 2020 incident where he shot Megan Thee Stallion in the feet after a party at Kylie Jenner’s home. Megan, whose real name is Megan Pete, testified that Lanez shouted at her to dance as she walked away from the SUV they had been riding in, before firing shots at her.
Doctors later removed bullet fragments from both feet, and Megan only publicly named Lanez as the shooter months after the incident.
Legal Battles and Harassment Allegations
Lanez’s legal team had earlier requested a new trial, but that request was denied. They are now appealing the conviction. His lawyers have not made any public comment about the prison attack as of now.
Earlier this year, Megan accused Lanez of harassing her from behind bars through third parties. In January, a judge issued a protective order barring him from making any form of contact with her until 2030.
Tory Lanez’s Career Before Conviction
Before his legal troubles, Lanez was known for his rise in the hip-hop world. He started releasing mixtapes in 2009, and later moved to major record labels. Two of his albums made it to the top 10 on Billboard charts.
The Bigger Impact on Hip-Hop and Society
The shooting and trial drew massive attention and sparked wider debates in the hip-hop community. Issues raised include:
- The reluctance of Black victims to speak to police
- Misogynoir, a specific type of hatred toward Black women
- Online bullying and toxicity
- Gender politics and power imbalances in the music industry
Lanez’s supporters believed he was wrongly punished, and many of his family members criticized the court system. His father even shouted in court after the verdict but later apologized to the judge.
Meanwhile, Megan Thee Stallion, now 30, has only grown in fame. She won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2021 and has topped charts with hits like “Savage” (feat. Beyoncé) and “WAP” with Cardi B.