A 10‑year sentence usually marks the end of a story, but for Tory Lanez—the Canadian rapper found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in 2020—that moment was only the opening act. Since his August 2023 sentencing, Lanez has fought appeals, released music from behind bars, and survived a prison attack, as the public debate over his guilt and the victim’s trauma refuses to fade.
Sentence length: 10 years in prison ·
Conviction date: December 23, 2022 ·
Victim: Megan Thee Stallion ·
Counts found guilty: Three (assault with a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, discharging a firearm with gross negligence) ·
Current status: Incarcerated at California State Prison, Los Angeles County ·
Earliest possible release: Approximately 2030 (subject to parole board decisions)
Quick snapshot
- Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion (Rolling Stone)
- He was convicted on three counts in December 2022 (CBS News Los Angeles)
- Exact motive for the shooting remains disputed
- Whether Lanez will serve the full 10 years or be paroled early
- May 12, 2025: Lanez attacked at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi (CBS News Los Angeles)
- November 2025: California appellate panel upheld his conviction (Rolling Stone)
Eight key facts about Tory Lanez, from his real name to his current location, paint the full picture:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson |
| Stage name | Tory Lanez |
| Born | July 27, 1992 (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter |
| Conviction | Three counts (assault with semiautomatic firearm, carrying concealed firearm, discharging firearm with gross negligence) |
| Sentence | 10 years in prison + 3 years parole |
| Victim | Megan Thee Stallion |
| Current location | California State Prison, Los Angeles County |
How many years did they give Tory Lanez?
Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in state prison on August 8, 2023, by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford (Rolling Stone). The sentence includes three years of parole after his release. Because California requires inmates convicted of violent felonies to serve at least 85% of their sentence, Lanez’s earliest possible release date falls around 2030, assuming good behavior and a favorable parole board.
What year will Tory Lanez come out?
With 85% of a 10‑year sentence, Lanez becomes eligible for parole after roughly 8.5 years—around early 2032 if credit calculations are standard. However, actual release depends on parole board decisions, which are never guaranteed. Rolling Stone noted that the appellate court upheld his conviction in November 2025, meaning all legal avenues remain active.
Will Tory Lanez serve all 10 years?
Not necessarily. Parole eligibility plus potential commutation or clemency could shorten his term. NBC News reported that Lanez’s legal team has sought either a pardon or clemency from California Governor Gavin Newsom. A denial from the state supreme court, if it comes, would still leave that possibility open.
The implication: Lanez’s legal team is running out of time, and every failed appeal tightens the window for clemency.
What did Tory do to Megan?
On July 12, 2020, after an argument following a pool party in the Hollywood Hills, Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion in both feet (USA Today). Megan initially told police she had stepped on glass, but later identified Lanez as the shooter. He was charged in October 2022 with three counts: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. A jury found him guilty on all counts on December 23, 2022 (Rolling Stone).
Why did Tory shoot Megan?
The motive remains one of the most contested details. Lanez has maintained his innocence throughout. In a victim impact statement, Megan said, “He shot me and he made me look like a liar” (USA Today). No court has accepted a clear motive, and online speculation—jealousy, anger, or a heated argument—remains unverified.
The shooting’s motive matters because it shapes public perception of Lanez’s character—and Megan’s credibility. Without a court‑established motive, the “why” will likely stay in social media echo chambers rather than court transcripts.
What this means: Without a definitive motive, the narrative remains fragmented, leaving room for both sympathy and condemnation.
Did Megan Thee Stallion sleep with Tory Lanez?
Megan Thee Stallion has repeatedly denied any romantic or sexual relationship with Tory Lanez. Rumors of an intimate history circulated online during the trial, fueled by gossip accounts and social media speculation. However, no evidence of such a relationship was ever presented in court. Forbes quoted Megan calling Lanez a “demon” in May 2025 after his legal team claimed new evidence exonerated him—she maintained the shooting had been established in court.
How is Tory Lanez doing now?
As of early 2025, Lanez is incarcerated at California State Prison, Los Angeles County. On May 12, 2025, he was attacked by another inmate at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi and taken to an outside medical facility (Newsweek). He has continued to release music from prison, including a “Prison Tapes” series distributed via social media. Lanez remains active on Instagram and X under the handle @torylanez (CBS News Los Angeles).
The pattern: Lanez is using the same digital tools that built his career to stay visible while incarcerated. For his fans, the prison music is a lifeline. For critics, it’s a way to maintain a platform while serving time.
What albums has Tory Lanez released from prison?
He has released the “Prison Tapes” and “Lost Tapes” series via social media and streaming platforms.
Where is Tory Lanez currently held?
California State Prison, Los Angeles County.
What is Tory Lanez’s biography and career?
What is Tory Lanez’s real name?
Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson, born July 27, 1992, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada (CBS News Los Angeles).
How old is Tory Lanez?
Tory Lanez was born on July 27, 1992, making him 32 years old as of 2025.
What is Tory Lanez’s net worth?
Estimated around $4 million as of 2024, though most assets are tied up in legal fees and prison has sharply limited his earning capacity. No official financial disclosure exists.
What are Tory Lanez’s most popular songs?
- “Say It” (2015)
- “Luv” (2016)
- “Broke in a Minute” (2020)
- “The Color Violet” (2021)
- “Adidas Freestyle” (2022)
His discography includes studio albums such as Love Me Now?, the Chixtapes, Daystar, Alone at Prom, and Peterson. He is 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall.
Timeline
- July 12, 2020 — Shooting incident in Hollywood Hills
- October 2022 — Charged with three firearm counts
- December 23, 2022 — Jury finds Lanez guilty on all counts
- August 8, 2023 — Sentenced to 10 years in state prison
- 2024 — Appeal for new trial denied; Lanez petitions for release; continues releasing music (Rolling Stone)
- May 12, 2025 — Attacked at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi (CBS News Los Angeles)
- August 13, 2025 — Request to submit new evidence denied by Los Angeles Superior Court (Los Angeles Times)
- November 12, 2025 — California appellate panel upholds conviction (Rolling Stone)
- December 2025 — Lawyers plan new appeal to California Supreme Court alleging Brady violation (NBC News)
The pattern: Every legal setback pushes the case closer to finality, but clemency remains a wildcard.
Clarity: What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Tory Lanez was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020.
- He received a 10‑year prison sentence on August 8, 2023.
- He was attacked in prison on May 12, 2025.
- His conviction was upheld by a California appellate panel in November 2025.
What’s unclear
- Exact motive for the shooting (unverified theories of jealousy or anger).
- Nature of the relationship between Lanez and Megan (rumored, not proven in court).
- Whether Lanez will serve the full 10 years or be released early on parole.
- Whether the new Brady violation appeal will succeed.
The balance of uncertainty weighs heavily on the case’s outcome, as every unresolved question fuels public division.
Voices in the case
“He shot me and he made me look like a liar.”
— Megan Thee Stallion, victim impact statement (USA Today)
“I will never apologize for being an honest and truthful person.”
— Tory Lanez, court statement (CBS News Los Angeles)
“The defendant has not accepted responsibility.”
— Judge David Herriford, sentencing (Rolling Stone)
These statements capture the core tension: Megan demands accountability for a violent crime, Lanez insists on his innocence, and the court system moves steadily on, with appeals and clemency petitions as the next battlegrounds.
Summary
Tory Lanez’s legal saga is far from over. With an active appeal to the California Supreme Court and a clemency request on the governor’s desk, his incarceration could yet take unexpected turns. For Megan Thee Stallion, the trauma of 2020 remains public and unresolved—every new legal filing reopens a wound. For Lanez, the next few years will determine whether he returns to music or remains a symbol of a celebrity justice system that few observers can agree on. The consequence for both: no exit without a final legal word.
youtube.com, lawcommentary.com, youtube.com, usatoday.com, facebook.com
For a comprehensive timeline of events, consider this detailed account of Tory Lanezs legal saga.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tory Lanez appealing his sentence?
Yes. His direct appeal was argued in August 2025, and his lawyers plan a new appeal to the California Supreme Court alleging a Brady violation (NBC News).
Where is Tory Lanez currently held?
California State Prison, Los Angeles County.
What does ‘Free Tory’ mean?
A social media campaign that calls for Lanez’s release, often citing claims of innocence or unfair prosecution.
What are Tory Lanez’s most popular songs?
“Say It”, “Luv”, “Broke in a Minute”, “The Color Violet”, “Adidas Freestyle”.
What did Judge Herriford say about Lanez’s lack of responsibility?
“The defendant has not accepted responsibility.” (Rolling Stone)
Tip: Appeal processes can take years, and parole decisions are never guaranteed.
The pattern: Similar legal sagas show how incarceration and public scrutiny can reshape a public figure’s narrative long after the verdict.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.