Topline
Megan Thee Stallion ripped supporters of rapper Tory Lanez, who is serving 10 years in prison for shooting her in 2020, for making her “relive being shot” as a petition demanding his release grows in popularity and has been boosted by artists including Drake and Kanye West.
Megan Thee Stallion criticized Lanez and his supporters in a statement on her TikTok. (Photo by … More
Key Facts
Megan Thee Stallion posted a statement to her TikTok account Monday night accusing Lanez and his supporters who have questioned whether Lanez shot her of “lying,” stating the incident was “proven in court,” referring to Lanez’s conviction in 2022 on felony assault and firearms charges.
Her statement comes as an online petition, which was created last week after Lanez was stabbed 14 times in a prison attack, has reached 273,000 signatures, though she did not mention the stabbing or petition in her statement.
Megan Thee Stallion slammed what she called a “hate campaign on the internet” targeting her, accusing Lanez’s supporters of “saying the same sh— for years” without new evidence.
“FACTS ARE FACTS, he did it,” Megan Thee Stallion wrote, maintaining that Lanez shot her and urging Lanez, whom she called a “f— demon,” and his supporters to “leave me alone.
Who Is Calling For Tory Lanez’s Release?
Earlier this week, Drake, a longtime supporter of Lanez who has feuded in the past with Megan Thee Stallion, shared the petition to his Instagram story, writing: “Come home soon.” Kanye West also posted the link to the petition on his X account. Rapper Kodak Black also posted the petition to his Instagram story, writing: “Everyone send prayers for this amazing human write and support him most importantly pray and sign these petitions to get him home he innocent.” Singer Chris Brown—who was arrested in the United Kingdom last week over an alleged assault at a nightclub in 2023—posted “Free Tory” to his Instagram story the day before his arrest. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., also called for Lanez’s release in a post on X, accusing his conviction of being based on “flawed evidence, political pressure, and prosecutorial bias.”
What Does The Petition Demanding Lanez’s Release Say?
The petition urges California Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue a pardon for Lanez, whom the petition calls a victim of “deep injustice.” The petition was written by the Caldwell Institute of Public Safety, an organization started by Fox News analyst Gianno Caldwell last year to combat progressive politicians whom Caldwell says are soft on crime. The petition, and some signatories including model Amber Rose, claim Lanez’s DNA was not found on the gun used in the shooting, though Los Angeles Police Department criminalist Randy Zepeda testified during Lanez’s trial test results for his DNA on the handgun were inconclusive, which means neither present nor not present. The petition also accuses the court of suppressing witnesses that would have been favorable to Lanez (Last year, the state rejected Lanez’s legal team’s attempt to submit new evidence and witness testimony after his trial ended).
Key Background
Lanez was stabbed 14 times last week in the California prison where he is serving his sentence. Lanez’s team announced the attack in a post on the rapper’s Instagram last week, stating his lungs collapsed and he had to be placed on a breathing apparatus. Correctional officers confirmed the attack to multiple news outlets, identifying the attacker as Santino Casio, who is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. Correctional officers told the New York Times Lanez was in “fair condition” the day after the attack.
Why Is Tory Lanez In Prison?
Lanez was given a 10-year sentence in August 2023 after a jury convicted him of shooting Megan Thee Stallion, for which he faced assault and firearms charges. Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion in her feet following an argument after a party at Kylie Jenner’s Los Angeles home in July 2020. The trial was highly publicized and was notable for the high volume of coverage by online blogs, which experts say frequently posted misinformation rooted in misogyny. Megan Thee Stallion was granted a restraining order against Lanez until 2030 earlier this year, alleging Lanez is supporting an online hate campaign against her from behind bars.
Further Reading
Tory Lanez’s trial for shooting Megan Thee Stallion was divisive. Here’s how it played out (BBC)
