Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was hospitalized after being stabbed 14 times in a California prison where he is serving a 10-year sentence for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. The attack occurred on May 12, 2025, at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. Lanez sustained injuries to his back, torso, head, and face, resulting in collapsed lungs. After emergency medical treatment, he is now in stable condition and reportedly in good spirits .

The alleged attacker has been identified as 42-year-old inmate Santino Casio, who is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder and attempted murder. Casio has a history of violent behavior in prison, including prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon while incarcerated. Following the incident, Casio was placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by prison authorities and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office .

In the wake of the stabbing, rapper Drake publicly urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon Lanez, citing alleged prosecutorial misconduct and missing forensic evidence in Lanez’s trial. A Change.org petition supporting the pardon has garnered over 268,000 signatures. However, Megan Thee Stallion has condemned these efforts, emphasizing that Lanez was lawfully convicted and expressing frustration over continued misinformation and harassment .

Lanez’s legal team continues to pursue appeals, and he is eligible for parole in 2029. Despite his incarceration, Lanez released a new album titled “Peterson” in March 2025, which was recorded entirely while in prison using AI technology. The album debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200 chart .

The incident has reignited public debate over Lanez’s conviction and the broader issues of violence and accountability within the music industry.