Rapper Tory Lanez Sues California Prison System for $170M Over Inmate Stabbing

Lanez claims negligence after being attacked by fellow inmate Santino Casio, who has a history of violent offenses.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:09am

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An extreme close-up of a homemade prison shank or weapon, its sharp edges and metallic texture dramatically illuminated against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the violent assault on the high-profile inmate.A violent prison attack exposes safety concerns within the California correctional system.San Luis Obispo Today

Rapper Tory Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, has filed a federal lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation seeking $170 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that prison officials were negligent in housing Lanez with inmate Santino Casio, who has a history of violent offenses, and that the resulting attack left Lanez with a collapsed lung requiring emergency treatment.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing concerns about inmate safety and classification protocols within the California prison system, particularly for high-profile individuals. Lanez's legal team argues that the failure to separate him from a known violent offender constitutes a breach of duty by correctional authorities.

The details

According to the legal filing, Casio attacked Lanez on May 12, 2025, using a homemade 'shank' to stab him 16 times in the back, torso, head, and face. The assault resulted in a collapsed lung, requiring Lanez to be airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment. The lawsuit further claims that correctional officers responded slowly to the attack and failed to deploy special measures to stop Casio.

  • The attack occurred on May 12, 2025.
  • Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence stemming from his December 2022 conviction for shooting hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion in the feet.

The players

Tory Lanez

Rapper whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, currently serving a 10-year sentence for a 2022 conviction.

Santino Casio

Inmate with a history of violent offenses, including a life sentence for second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

The state agency responsible for Lanez's incarceration and the safety of inmates.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges the California prison system faces in ensuring the safety of high-profile inmates and properly classifying and separating violent offenders from other prisoners.