Rapper Tory Lanez was rushed to the hospital in critical condition on Monday following a vicious stabbing inside a California state prison.
According to multiple sources, the 31-year-old artiste, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was the victim of a violent altercation with a fellow inmate at the California Correctional Institution (CCI) in Tehachapi.
TMZ reported that the attack reportedly took place in the prison yard during the early hours of the morning.
Witnesses say an unidentified inmate approached Lanez and repeatedly struck him with a homemade prison shank, stabbing the rapper more than a dozen times across various parts of his body.
Lanez’s team has confirmed the severity of the assault, stating that he sustained 14 stab wounds in total.
These include seven wounds to his back, four in his torso, two to the back of his head, and a deep gash on the left side of his face.
The injuries were so severe that they caused his lungs to collapse, prompting an immediate emergency response from prison staff.
Staff members at the facility responded swiftly, administering first aid at the scene while emergency medical services were en route.
Lanez was quickly transported to a nearby hospital outside of the prison grounds, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Although his condition was initially reported as critical, there are signs of stabilisation.
Despite the extent of his injuries, Lanez is reportedly conscious and communicative.
His representatives issued a statement, saying the rapper is “in pain but talking normally” and “deeply thankful to God for surviving this horrific incident.”
Attorney Jose Baez, who represents Lanez, also provided a brief update, telling TMZ, “He is recovering. He is a strong young man. He is expected to make a recovery.” Baez added that Lanez remains in good spirits despite the traumatic ordeal and is staying optimistic about his recovery.
They confirmed the incident in a statement to the media. A spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) verified that Lanez was attacked by another inmate in one of the prison’s housing units, though they declined to offer additional details about the circumstances or the assailant’s identity, citing an ongoing investigation.
Tory Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for his conviction in connection with the 2020 shooting of fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
He was found guilty in December 2022 on three felony counts: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. The rapper has approximately eight years remaining on his sentence, barring any changes due to appeal or parole.