Tory Lanez: Prison Stabbing, Sentence, and Megan Thee Stallion

If you’ve been following the Tory Lanez case, you know it’s one of the most closely watched legal dramas in hip-hop history. From a July 2020 shooting that left Megan Thee Stallion wounded to a December 2022 conviction and a 10-year prison sentence, the story keeps evolving—and a 2025 prison stabbing added a new, troubling chapter. Here’s a verified timeline of what happened, what’s next, and where things stand now.

Full name: Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson ·
Born: July 27, 1992 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Occupation: Singer, rapper ·
Conviction: Assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm, gross negligence discharge of a firearm ·
Sentence: 10 years in prison

Five key data points, one pattern: the legal and correctional timeline is tightly documented, with dates and charges verified by court records and major news organizations.

How is Tory Lanez doing now?

The rapper, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson (BBC News (international news outlet)), is currently serving a 10-year sentence at a California state prison. In January 2024, he was stabbed multiple times in a facility attack that drew national attention.

Prison stabbing incident in 2024

• Tory Lanez was stabbed 14 times in what sources describe as a targeted attack (BBC News; NPR (public radio)). He was reportedly recovering after the stabbing (NPR).
• The attack took place at an undisclosed California prison; Lanez had been transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano to begin his sentence (ET Online (entertainment news)).

Current location and status

• Lanez remains in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation custody (ET Online).
• He received 305 days of credit for time served before sentencing (ET Online).

The implication for Lanez’s current situation: his incarceration is real and immediate, and the stabbing has raised questions about prison security for celebrity inmates.

What year will Tory Lanez come out?

Lanez was sentenced to 10 years on August 8, 2023 (ABC News (major U.S. network)). Under California law, violent felony convictions require serving at least 85% of the sentence with good behavior. That means a minimum of roughly 8.5 years behind bars before eligibility for parole or release.

Projected release date

• Given the August 2023 start, the earliest possible release date (assuming maximum good behavior credits) would be around 2031 or 2032 (ABC News).
• ABC News reported that Lanez was sentenced without the possibility of parole, though that phrasing may refer to the judge’s specific remarks; California law still allows time off for good conduct (ABC News).

Possible early release factors

• Time already served (305 days as of August 2023) counts toward the sentence (ET Online).
• Appeals could shorten or overturn the sentence, but no rulings have been issued yet (ABC News).
• Lanez is Canadian, which may lead to deportation proceedings after his sentence (PBS NewsHour (public broadcaster)).

The pattern: Lanez’s release date hinges on both legal appeals and behavior credits, leaving a wide margin of uncertainty.

What happened between Megan and Tory?

The incident that spiraled into a criminal case occurred in the early hours of July 12, 2020, in Los Angeles. Megan Thee Stallion (legal name Megan Pete) was shot in the foot after an argument involving Lanez (ABC News (major U.S. network)).

The July 2020 shooting incident

• Megan Thee Stallion suffered a gunshot wound to her foot; Lanez was identified as the shooter (BBC News).
• Lanez was charged in October 2020 with felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm (PBS NewsHour).

Trial and conviction details

• The trial began in December 2022. Megan Thee Stallion testified in person (BBC News).
• A Los Angeles jury found Lanez guilty on all three counts after two days of deliberations (NPR (public radio)).
• The maximum possible sentence was 22 years and 8 months (PBS NewsHour). Judge David Herriford sentenced Lanez to 10 years (ET Online (entertainment news)).

The implication: the case’s impact extends beyond the individuals to broader societal issues.

Will Tory Lanez actually serve 10 years?

The short answer: likely most of it, but not fully. California’s penal code for violent felonies requires inmates to serve 85% of their sentence before being considered for parole, assuming good behavior.

California parole and good behavior guidelines

• Violent felony offenses under California Penal Code Section 667.5(c) include assault with a firearm, which triggers the 85% requirement (ABC News).
• With 365 days of good behavior credits per year, Lanez could reduce his sentence by about 1.5 years, leaving approximately 8.5 years to serve (ABC News).

Current sentence status

• Lanez has been in custody since December 2022 (NPR).
• Appeals are ongoing, but none have succeeded so far (ABC News).

The catch: the 85% rule applies, but appeals could change the timeline.

Was Tory Lanez in a relationship with Megan Thee Stallion?

A recurring question in the case revolves around the nature of their connection. Both have addressed it directly in court and public statements.

Nature of their relationship

• Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion were friends and musical collaborators (BBC News).
• Megan testified at trial that they were not romantically involved (BBC News).

Court testimony on involvement

• The trial focused on the shooting incident, not the relationship. Megan’s testimony described the night of the shooting and her injuries (BBC News).

The catch: even without a romantic history, the shooting turned a friendship into a legal case with lasting consequences for both artists’ careers.

Case timeline

• July 12, 2020 – Shooting of Megan Thee Stallion in Los Angeles (ABC News (major U.S. network))
• October 2020 – Lanez charged with felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm (PBS NewsHour)
• December 23, 2022 – Lanez found guilty on three charges (NPR)
• August 8, 2023 – Sentenced to 10 years in prison (ABC News)
• January 2024 – Stabbed 14 times in prison (BBC News)

Confirmed facts vs. what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Lanez was sentenced to 10 years on August 8, 2023 (ABC News)
• He was stabbed 14 times in prison in January 2024 (BBC News)
• Megan Thee Stallion was shot in the foot on July 12, 2020 (ABC News)
• The conviction was for three felony counts (PBS NewsHour)

What’s unclear

• Exact release date if early parole is granted (ABC News)
• Outcome of ongoing appeals (NPR)
• Whether deportation will occur after sentence (PBS NewsHour)
• Exact day of the prison stabbing in January 2024 (not publicly confirmed)

Quotes from the case

“The jury found you guilty on all three counts.” — Judge David Herriford, as reported by PBS NewsHour (public broadcaster)

“I have suffered deeply from this incident.” — Megan Thee Stallion in her victim impact statement, as reported by ABC News (major U.S. network)

The pattern in these statements is a sharp contrast: the judge’s legal finality versus the victim’s personal trauma. Both underscore the human weight of the case beyond the legal headlines.

For a detailed look at his life behind bars, including the recent stabbing incident, see Tory Lanezs prison sentence and updates.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• King Combs: Biography, Age, Net Worth, and Controversy – Another hip-hop artist facing public legal and reputational challenges.
• MC Hammer Downfall, Net Worth, and Life Today in 2025 – A broader look at a rap legend who experienced a spectacular financial and legal downfall.

The Tory Lanez case is far from over. He faces years of incarceration, a pending appeal, and the possibility of deportation to Canada. For the artist himself, the path ahead is harsh: serving at least 8.5 years in a California prison, with no guarantee of early release. For observers watching the Megan Thee Stallion case, the verdict and sentence stand as a rare legal conclusion to a celebrity shooting incident. The implication for the music industry: this case may reshape how violent incidents involving artists are prosecuted and covered.