Rapper Tory Lanez has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the California prison system, claiming officials failed to protect him from a violent stabbing attack while he was incarcerated.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Tuesday, targets the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation along with prison staff at Tehachapi.
Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, alleges he was stabbed 16 times by fellow inmate Santino Casio in an “unprovoked” attack using a makeshift weapon. He reportedly suffered a collapsed lung and had to be airlifted to hospital.
According to the filing, Lanez says prison authorities should never have placed him with Casio, who is serving a life sentence for murder and has a history of violent offences. It also claims staff response during the incident was slow and inadequate, and argues that his high-profile status made him especially vulnerable.
Prison officials confirmed the incident took place on May 12, 2025 but have not commented on the lawsuit. Casio has not been charged over the attack.
Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence after being convicted in 2022 for shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the feet following a 2020 incident in Los Angeles. His conviction was upheld on appeal last year.
The lawsuit also alleges that prison authorities confiscated his unpublished song lyrics, which he claims hold significant commercial value.
Lanez was later transferred to another facility following the attack as the legal case continues.
