Tory Lanez Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Shooting Megan Thee Stallion
Tory Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a trial over the shooting of fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez, 31, has been in jail since December 2021 after being convicted of first-degree assault, gross negligence discharge of a firearm, and possessing a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Megan, 28, testified during the trial that Lanez fired a gun at her feet and told her to dance as she walked away from a vehicle they were riding in. The incident occurred in the summer of 2020 after the pair left a party at Kylie Jenner’s home.
Prior to his sentencing, Lanez asked the judge not to send him to prison, expressing his care for Megan and referencing their shared experiences, including the loss of their mothers. Lanez’s legal team has announced their plans to file appeals for both the sentence and conviction.
Megan, in a statement read on her behalf in court, expressed the ongoing impact of the shooting on her mental well-being and emphasized the importance of the sentence as a message against violence towards women. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon commended Megan for her bravery and vulnerability during the trial and its aftermath.
The case against Lanez attracted significant public attention and generated waves of criticism and support for both artists. Megan’s testimony and the subsequent conviction shed light on issues of violence against women in the music industry, as well as the prevalence of online vitriol and misogyny experienced by Black women.
Lanez, a popular rapper known for his mixtapes and major-label albums, has faced multiple legal issues since the shooting incident, including violating a protective order and allegedly attacking another musician. Megan, on the other hand, has continued to rise in prominence, winning a Grammy for Best New Artist and achieving chart-topping success with songs like “Savage” and “WAP.”
The sentencing of Lanez serves as a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding accountability and justice within the music industry.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press