Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages after a violent prison attack in which he was stabbed 16 times, according to multiple reports.
The artist, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, alleges that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation failed to protect him from a known dangerous inmate during the May 2025 incident at a correctional facility in Tehachapi.
Details of the attack
According to court filings, Lanez was repeatedly stabbed in the back, torso, head, and face in what his legal team describes as an “unprovoked, life-threatening attack.” The assault allegedly involved a homemade weapon and left the rapper with severe injuries, including a collapsed lung that required emergency medical transport.
The accused attacker, identified as inmate Santino Casio, was reportedly serving a life sentence and had a documented history of violent offenses. Lanez’s lawsuit claims prison officials were negligent in housing the two men together despite the risks.
Lawsuit claims
Lanez’s legal complaint accuses prison staff of:
- Failing to properly assess inmate safety risks
- Placing him in proximity to a violent offender
- Delayed response to the attack
- Improper handling of the incident afterward
The suit also alleges that prison officials confiscated personal materials, including songbooks containing unreleased lyrics.
Reports indicate the rapper is seeking damages that equate to roughly $1 million per stab wound.
Background
Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence following his 2022 conviction for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion in 2020.
Following the stabbing, he was later transferred to another facility for safety reasons.
What’s next
The California Department of Corrections has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. The case is expected to move through federal court, where Lanez will attempt to prove that prison officials failed in their duty to ensure his safety while incarcerated.
The lawsuit marks the latest development in a series of legal battles surrounding the rapper, adding new scrutiny to prison safety protocols and inmate placement decisions within California’s correctional system.
