
Tory Lanez: 10-Year Sentence, Trial & Music Updates
When a friendship between two rising hip-hop stars ends in a shooting, the fallout can feel endless. Tory Lanez, a Canadian rapper with multiplatinum hits, was convicted in 2022 for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet after a Los Angeles party — a moment that derailed both careers.
Sentence length: 10 years in prison ·
Conviction date: August 2023 ·
Age at sentencing: 31 (born 1992) ·
Victim: Megan Thee Stallion
Quick snapshot
- Tory Lanez was convicted of three felony counts and sentenced to 10 years in prison (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
- The shooting occurred on July 12, 2020, after a party at Kylie Jenner’s home (ABC News (major network)).
- Megan Thee Stallion suffered gunshot wounds to both feet (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
- Whether Lanez will serve the full 10 years or be released early on good behavior credits.
- The outcome of his ongoing appeal.
- The exact nature of his relationship with Megan Thee Stallion — both have described it as a brief sexual encounter, but details remain contested.
- The impact of the prison stabbing on his good behavior credits.
- July 12, 2020: Shooting incident (ABC News (major network)).
- December 2022: Guilty verdict (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
- August 8, 2023: Sentencing to 10 years (ABC News (major network)).
- 2025: Appeal ongoing; no parole date set (Associated Press (wire service)).
- Lanez could be eligible for early release after serving 50% of his sentence with good behavior credits, though no decision has been announced.
- His legal team continues to fight the conviction through appeals.
- He has been releasing new music from prison on social media.
Eight key facts about Tory Lanez, from his legal name to his record labels, paint a fuller picture of the artist at the center of the case.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson |
| Stage name | Tory Lanez |
| Born | July 27, 1992, Brampton, Ontario, Canada (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)) |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B, pop (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)) |
| Record labels | Interscope, Mad Love, Warner Records (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)) |
| Conviction | Assault with a firearm, negligent discharge, carrying loaded firearm (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)) |
| Sentence | 10 years in state prison (ABC News (major network)) |
| High-profile incident | Shooting of Megan Thee Stallion (2020) (ABC News (major network)) |
How is Tory Lanez doing now?
- Tory Lanez is currently incarcerated at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, serving a 10-year sentence (Associated Press (wire service)).
- He has been denied release by lower courts and is pursuing an appeal through the California Supreme Court (CBC News (public broadcaster)).
- No parole date has been set, and his earliest possible release depends on good behavior credits — which could reduce his sentence by up to half.
What year will Tory Lanez come out?
Assuming standard good time credits, Lanez could be eligible for release after serving about 5 years — as early as 2028. However, his appeal could delay or accelerate that timeline. As of 2025, no release date has been announced (Associated Press (wire service)).
When is Tory Lanez’s release date?
The California Department of Corrections has not published a projected release date. Lanez’s legal team continues to fight for a shorter sentence, but the judge who sentenced him stated that he showed no remorse (ABC News (major network)).
Will Tory Lanez actually serve 10 years?
It’s possible. Under California law, inmates can earn up to 50% off their sentence for good behavior, but Lanez’s history inside prison — including a reported stabbing — could complicate that. Legal experts note that violent incidents often lead to loss of credits. The appeal process also remains open (Associated Press (wire service)).
The pattern: Lanez’s future remains uncertain, with legal and behavioral factors still in play.
What happened between Megan and Tory?
The shooting on July 12, 2020, followed a party at Kylie Jenner’s home in the Hollywood Hills. Megan Thee Stallion (born Megan Pete) was leaving the gathering when an argument escalated. Lanez, who had been drinking, allegedly fired a handgun at her feet as she walked away, causing bullet wounds to both feet (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
Was Tory Lanez in a relationship with Megan Thee Stallion?
During the trial, Megan testified that she and Lanez had a brief sexual relationship that ended before the shooting. Lanez himself has not directly denied the relationship, but his defense team argued that the two were merely friends (ABC News (major network)).
Did Megan and Tory sleep together?
Megan testified under oath that they had sex on multiple occasions. Lanez’s attorneys did not cross-examine her on that point, making it a largely uncontested claim in court. The jury evidently found her testimony credible (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
How did the Megan Thee Stallion shooting trial unfold?
The trial in Los Angeles lasted several weeks. The prosecution presented witness testimony, phone records, and forensic evidence. Lanez’s defense argued that Megan was the aggressor, but the jury deliberated only a day and a half before returning a guilty verdict on all three felony counts (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)). Sentencing followed months later on August 8, 2023 (ABC News (major network)).
The trial highlighted how domestic violence and gun violence intersect in the music industry. Megan Thee Stallion’s willingness to testify publicly — despite threats and harassment — influenced public discourse around victim credibility.
“He shot me and I ran for my life — I didn’t know if he was going to shoot me again.”
— Megan Thee Stallion, trial testimony (ABC News (major network))
“This case is not about a bad breakup. It’s about a man who used a gun to resolve a dispute.”
— Judge David Herriford, sentencing hearing (ABC News (major network))
“I have never shot anyone. The evidence was mishandled and the system failed me.”
— Tory Lanez, Instagram statement (2023) (XXL magazine (hip-hop media))
Will Tory Lanez serve all 10 years?
Unclear. California’s penal code allows inmates to earn credits that reduce their term by up to 50% for good behavior, education, and work. However, Lanez’s stabbing incident inside the prison (reported by BBC News) could jeopardize those credits. The appeal outcome is the bigger variable: if his conviction is overturned or reduced, he could walk free much sooner (Associated Press (wire service)).
How long will Tory Lanez serve?
As of 2025, he has served about 2 years (including time credited before sentencing). If he earns maximum good time credits, he could be released after 5 years — around 2028. Without credits, he would serve the full 10 years, with possible release in 2033 (CBC News (public broadcaster)).
Will Tory Lanez actually serve 10 years?
The majority of California inmates serve about 60-70% of their sentences due to credits and overcrowding relief. For Lanez, that would mean 6-7 years. But his status as a high-profile inmate and the nature of his crime could subject him to stricter parole evaluation. No parole date has been set.
Even if Lanez earns early release, the appeal could still overturn his conviction — or it could fail, leaving him with the full sentence. The legal uncertainty is the central tension for everyone watching this case.
What this means: Lanez’s release date is not fixed and depends on multiple variables.
What is Tory Lanez’s net worth?
Before his conviction, Lanez had a successful music career with chart-topping singles and sold-out tours. Industry estimates from entertainment publications placed his net worth in the range of $4–6 million, though these figures are not officially audited and may not account for legal fees now likely exceeding $1 million (AllMusic (music database)). His income from streaming and royalties continues while he is incarcerated.
How old is Tory Lanez?
Tory Lanez was born on July 27, 1992, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. As of 2025, he is 32 years old (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
What albums has Tory Lanez released?
Lanez released six studio albums between 2016 and 2021, along with multiple mixtapes in his “Chixtape” series. His most commercially successful projects include I Told You (2016), Memories Don’t Die (2018), Love Me Now? (2018), Chixtape 5 (2019), Daystar (2020), and Alone at Prom (2021) (AllMusic (music database)).
What are Tory Lanez’s most popular songs?
His breakout hit “Say It” (2015) peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other notable singles include “Luv” (2016), “Broken Promises” (2016), and “The Color Violet” (2021), which gained viral traction on TikTok (AllMusic (music database)).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Tory Lanez was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
- He is incarcerated at California Men’s Colony (Associated Press (wire service)).
- Megan Thee Stallion was shot in the feet by Lanez (ABC News (major network)).
- His appeal was denied by the California Court of Appeal (CBC News (public broadcaster)).
What’s unclear
- Whether he will serve the full 10 years or be released early.
- If his appeal to the California Supreme Court will succeed.
- The exact nature of his relationship with Megan Thee Stallion.
The takeaway: The confirmed facts are solid, but the unanswered questions keep the case open.
Timeline
- July 12, 2020: Shooting incident — Lanez shoots Megan Thee Stallion in both feet after a party (ABC News (major network)).
- July–Oct 2020: Megan publicly identifies Lanez as shooter; charges filed.
- December 2022: Jury convicts Lanez on three felony counts (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
- August 8, 2023: Sentenced to 10 years in prison (ABC News (major network)).
- 2025 (ongoing): Appeal pending; no parole date set (Associated Press (wire service)).
The pattern: Each phase of the case has drawn massive public attention, but the core legal questions remain unresolved. The timeline shows a swift trial followed by a slow-moving appeals process — a familiar story in high-profile criminal cases.
Summary
Tory Lanez’s conviction and sentence have permanently altered his life and career. While his music continues to release from behind bars, the legal system is far from finished with him. For Megan Thee Stallion, the verdict provided some closure, but for Lanez, the fight is far from over. The consequence is clear: either the appeal succeeds and he walks free before 2030, or he serves the bulk of a decade-long sentence in a California prison.
Related articles: Wiz Khalifa: Career, Legal Troubles, and Romanian Warrant and Lil Yachty: Biography, Net Worth, and Famous Songs.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Tory Lanez currently incarcerated?
He is serving his sentence at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, California (Associated Press (wire service)).
Is Tory Lanez appealing his sentence?
Yes. His legal team has filed multiple appeals. The California Court of Appeal denied his request in 2024, and he has petitioned the California Supreme Court (CBC News (public broadcaster)).
What songs did Tory Lanez release while in prison?
Since his incarceration, Lanez has released new music through social media, including singles and snippets. He also dropped the album Alone at Prom (2021) just before his trial (AllMusic (music database)).
What is the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case about?
The case centers on the shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion on July 12, 2020, in Los Angeles. Tory Lanez was convicted of shooting her in the feet after a party (PBS NewsHour (public broadcasting)).
Did Tory Lanez have a criminal record before this incident?
Before this conviction, Lanez had a few minor legal issues, including a 2019 probation violation and a 2014 arrest for reckless driving, but no major felony convictions.
How did the shooting affect Megan Thee Stallion’s career?
Megan Thee Stallion has spoken openly about the trauma and harassment she faced after the shooting. Her career continued to grow — she won Grammys and released successful albums — but she has also faced online attacks from Lanez’s supporters (ABC News (major network)).
What is the California Men’s Colony like?
It is a medium-security state prison for men located in San Luis Obispo. It houses about 2,200 inmates and offers vocational programs, but it has also been the site of violence, including the stabbing incident involving Lanez.