Tory Lanez Files $100M Lawsuit Over California Prison Attack

Rapper alleges negligence after brutal stabbing by fellow inmate left him hospitalized.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a jagged, metal prison-made shank or weapon, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A brutal prison attack leaves a high-profile rapper fighting for his life and seeking justice through the courts.Tehachapi Today

Rapper Tory Lanez, also known as Daystar Peterson, is suing the California Department of Corrections for $100 million after he was nearly killed in a May 2025 attack by a fellow inmate while incarcerated at the Tehachapi facility. Peterson's legal team alleges that prison officials failed in their duty to keep him safe from known threats, leading to a brutal stabbing that left him with a collapsed lung and requiring emergency surgery.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about prison safety and the duty of correctional facilities to protect high-profile inmates from violence, especially when pairing them with known dangerous offenders. It also raises questions about the handling of personal property, like unpublished creative work, during incarceration.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Peterson was ambushed by Santino Casio, a man serving a life sentence for murder, in what is described as an 'unprovoked life-threatening attack.' Casio allegedly used a makeshift weapon to stab Peterson 16 times across his head, face, and torso. The injuries were so severe that Peterson required an emergency airlift to a nearby hospital for life-saving surgery. Peterson's attorneys argue that the prison's decision to house him, a high-profile celebrity, with a convicted murderer was a known danger that they failed to prevent.

  • The attack occurred in May 2025.
  • Peterson continues to serve a 10-year sentence for the 2022 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.

The players

Tory Lanez

Also known as Daystar Peterson, a rapper who is suing the California Department of Corrections for $100 million after a brutal prison attack.

Santino Casio

A convicted murderer serving a life sentence who allegedly stabbed Tory Lanez 16 times in an 'unprovoked life-threatening attack' while they were housed together.

California Department of Corrections

The state agency being sued by Tory Lanez for negligence in failing to protect him from the attack by his fellow inmate.

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The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about prison safety and the duty of correctional facilities to protect high-profile inmates from violence, especially when pairing them with known dangerous offenders. It also raises questions about the handling of personal property, like unpublished creative work, during incarceration.