Rapper Tory Lanez Sues California Prison System for $100M Over Stabbing

Lanez says he was stabbed 16 times in an 'unprovoked life-threatening attack' by a fellow inmate.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:13am

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An extreme close-up of a homemade prison shank, its sharp metal edges and rough texture starkly illuminated by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the violence and danger faced by inmates.A violent prison attack leaves a high-profile rapper with serious injuries, exposing flaws in the correctional system's ability to protect vulnerable inmates.Los Angeles Today

Rapper Tory Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Lanez claims he was stabbed 16 times in the back, torso, head and face in an 'unprovoked life-threatening attack' by a fellow inmate named Santino Casio while being housed at a California prison in Tehachapi. Lanez was serving a 10-year sentence for shooting hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion in the feet.

Why it matters

The lawsuit alleges that prison officials were negligent in housing Lanez, a high-profile celebrity, with Casio, who had a history of violent offenses. The attack left Lanez with a collapsed lung and required him to be airlifted to a hospital. The case raises questions about prison safety and security protocols, especially for high-profile inmates.

The details

According to the lawsuit, the attack occurred on May 12, 2025, when Casio, who is serving a life sentence for murder and attempted murder, used a homemade 'shank' to stab Lanez. The lawsuit claims the prison's response was slow and that no special measures were taken to stop the attack. Lanez was later transferred to another prison in San Luis Obispo County. The lawsuit also alleges that the prison unlawfully seized Lanez's songbooks containing unpublished lyrics.

  • The attack occurred on May 12, 2025.
  • Lanez was convicted of three felonies in December 2022 and his appeal was rejected in November of that year.
  • Lanez began releasing mixtapes in 2009 and saw a steady rise in popularity over the years.

The players

Tory Lanez

A 33-year-old rapper whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, who is serving a 10-year sentence for shooting hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion in the feet.

Santino Casio

An inmate serving a life sentence for second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder, who has a history of violent offenses including assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon and manufacturing a deadly weapon.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

The state agency that Lanez is suing for $100 million over the stabbing attack.

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What’s next

The lawsuit is currently pending, and it remains to be seen how the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will respond to the allegations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for prisons to have robust safety and security protocols, especially when housing high-profile inmates who may be at greater risk of targeted attacks. It also raises questions about the responsibility of prison officials to protect vulnerable inmates from violence.