Tory Lanez 'stabbed 14 times' by fellow inmate, hospitalized for collapsed lungs
Rapper Tory Lanez, who's behind bars for shooting fellow hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion, has been hospitalized after being attacked in prison.
Lanez, 32, was allegedly attacked by fellow inmate Santino Casio on May 12 at approximately 7:20 a.m., a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed to Paste BN. Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, is serving a 10-year prison sentence at the California Correctional Institution at Tehachapi after he was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in 2020.
"Staff immediately responded, activated 911 and began medical aid," according to the statement. "Peterson was subsequently transported to an outside medical facility for further treatment."
It is currently unclear what motivated the attack.
The Office of the Inspector General was notified of the incident, and an "investigation has been initiated by CCI's Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney's Office."
Paste BN has reached out to Lanez's representatives for comment.
Casio, who was originally incarcerated in February 2004, was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, personal use of a dangerous or deadly weapon and infliction of great bodily injury.
While incarcerated, the man received additional prison sentences in January 2008 and June 2018 for offenses that included assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon and possession or manufacture of a deadly weapon.
Tory Lanez stabbed 14 times, suffered from collapsed lungs
Hours after reports of Lanez's hospitalization came out, his official Instagram account released a statement on the attack.
"Tory was stabbed 14 times – including seven wounds to his back, four to his torso, two to the back of his head, and one to the left side of his face. Both of his lungs collapsed, and he was placed on a breathing apparatus," the statement said.
"He is now breathing on his own. Despite being in pain, he is talking normally, in good spirits, and deeply thankful to God that he is pulling through. He also wants to thank everyone for their continued support."
Paste BN has reached out to the California Corrections Department for comment.
Why is Tory Lanez in prison?
Lanez was found guilty in December 2022 of shooting the Grammy-winning rapper during an alleged argument in the Hollywood Hills in July 2020. The Canadian singer-songwriter, who pleaded not guilty on all counts ahead of his trial, was charged with discharging a firearm with gross negligence; assault with a semiautomatic firearm; and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
He was sentenced on Aug. 8, 2023, and began his sentence a month later, on Sept. 19. His team has since appealed the conviction.
Since his conviction, Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, has sought a restraining order last year against Lanez. She filed a request for a temporary restraining order against him in Los Angeles County Superior Court in December, according to court documents obtained by Paste BN at the time.
Megan claimed the singer orchestrated a "campaign of harassment" against her, including employing a network of bloggers to slander her online.
"Years after the criminal trial, Mr. Peterson, by and through his media puppets, continues to reoffend Ms. Pete by forcing her to relive this trauma," her civil lawsuit said.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Contributing: Edward Segarra and Anika Reed, Paste BN