Rapper Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, has been handed a 10-year prison sentence following his conviction for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot during an incident in July 2020. The verdict found Lanez guilty on charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. However, he was acquitted of intentionally shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
The shooting unfolded in the Hollywood Hills after a heated dispute between Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez's defense centered around his claim that the shooting was an accident that occurred while he was attempting to disarm Megan Thee Stallion. Conversely, prosecutors contended that the shooting was a deliberate act on Lanez's part.
Megan Thee Stallion, a key witness in Lanez's trial, recounted the traumatic experience of being shot and expressed feeling fearful and in pain as a result. She further asserted that Lanez had tried to silence her by offering monetary compensation.
Tory Lanez's sentencing marks the culmination of an extensive legal battle. He was initially arrested on gun charges soon after the shooting incident, but he was released on bail. Subsequently, he faced felony charges and his trial commenced in September 2022.
The imposed 10-year sentence is the maximum penalty for the assault charge. Upon release from prison, Lanez will also be subjected to five years of supervised release.
Public reactions to the sentencing have been diverse. Some individuals commended the judge for delivering a message against tolerating gun violence, while others expressed empathy for Lanez and his family.
Megan Thee Stallion responded to the sentencing outcome with a statement expressing gratitude for the judge's decision and expressing a hope that Lanez would receive the necessary assistance.
The shooting incident involving Megan Thee Stallion garnered substantial national attention, prompting discussions about gun violence within the hip-hop community. The conclusion of Lanez's trial and his subsequent sentencing add a significant dimension to the ongoing discourse surrounding gun violence in hip-hop, shaping the conversation in unforeseen ways.