Tory Lanez sentenced for Megan Thee Stallion shooting

STORY: Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion during an argument in 2020.

The sentence came during a hearing Tuesday, seven months after his conviction in the case, handed down from a judge in Los Angeles Superior Court.

In December 2022, a judge found Lanez guilty of carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, assault with a semiautomatic handgun and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

Lanez was accused of shooting Megan Thee Stallion after a Hollywood pool party in 2020, injuring her feet.

She told the court during trial the shooting was preceded by a heated argument in which the two were critical of each other’s careers.

The 28-year-old needed surgery and was hospitalized for four days after the incident.

She did not attend Lanez’ sentencing, saying she could not bear to be in the same room, but wrote a statement that was read in court:

“He not only shot me, he made a mockery of my trauma… This is a statement for all survivors that their lives matter and there is zero tolerance for the torture that accompanies violence.”

Lanez’ defense lawyer Jose Baez spoke to reporters after the sentencing:

“This case, to get a 10 year sentence is extreme and really just another example of someone being punished for the celebrity status and someone being utilized as a – to send an example and he’s not an example, he’s a human being and I think it’s incredibly unfortunate and it’s something that we plan on appealing.”

After the guilty verdict last December, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, whose office prosecuted the case, said that women, especially Black women, often refrain from reporting crimes such as assault and sexual violence for fear they will not be believed.

After the sentencing, Gascon added he hoped Megan Thee Stallion’s courage would inspire those in similar circumstances to come forward.