Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was a convicted felon before the July 2020 incident in which he shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot inside a Los Angeles vehicle. Lanez pleaded no contest to a felony weapons charge in 2006 for carrying an unregistered pistol, completed probation, and served a brief sentence. In 2022, a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, brandishing a firearm in a public place, and distributing a controlled substance in relation to the shooting. The following table summarizes key factual attributes with verified detail.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Name (stage and legal) | Daystar Peterson, known as Tory Lanez | Court records |
| Prior felony conviction | 2006 felony weapons conviction (unregistered pistol) | Court records |
| Shooting date and location | July 6, 2020, Los Angeles, California | Law enforcement reports |
| Victim | Megan Thee Stallion (Megan Pete) | Law enforcement and court filings |
| Trial outcome | Guilty on multiple counts (2022) | Los Angeles County Superior Court verdict |
The relationship between Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion has been widely reported as romantic and collaborative. Both have acknowledged a personal relationship that included touring together and creative partnerships. After the shooting, Megan Thee Stallion publicly detailed the event during a press conference and later released music reflecting on trauma and empowerment. The case drew national attention to gun laws, celebrity conduct, and survivor advocacy. Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2022; he is currently incarcerated as of 2025.
Understanding the question: What does ‘felon’ mean legally?
In United States law, a felon is a person convicted of a felony, which is a category of crime typically punishable by more than one year in state or federal prison. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses with shorter potential jail terms, often under one year. A prior felony conviction can carry long-term consequences, including restrictions on firearm possession, voting, jury service, and certain employment. When asking whether Tory Lanez was a felon before the shooting, the question is usually about whether he had a prior criminal record that meets the legal definition of a felony, independent from any later charges related to the shooting.
Tory Lanez’s prior criminal record
2006 weapons conviction
In 2006, when Lanez was a teenager, he pled no contest to a felony weapons charge in California for possessing an unregistered pistol. He was sentenced under provisions that allowed probation and time served, ultimately completing probation and a short custodial period. This conviction remained on his criminal record and is a documented prior felony. Because he was a convicted felon under federal law, possessing a firearm after that conviction would be unlawful unless he had received a restoration of civil rights or specific statutory exception, which typically does not apply to firearm possession by convicted felons.
Later arrests before 2020
Public records show that Lanez had additional encounters with law enforcement before 2020, including arrests related to narcotics and parole violations. However, his 2006 weapons conviction is the clearest and most widely documented prior felony. While some arrests may not have resulted in felony charges or convictions, the 2006 case stands as the definitive prior felony on record. It is this conviction that is most relevant when assessing his legal status before the shooting incident.
The 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion: verified timeline
On July 6, 2020, Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez were in a vehicle in the Hollywood Hills after a party. According to prosecutors and the eventual jury verdict, Lanez brandished a semiautomatic firearm inside the vehicle, shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot, then made false statements to first responders and investigators about what happened. A 911 call and subsequent body-camera footage from responding officers captured Megan Thee Stallion describing the incident and her injury in real time. Emergency services arrived, she was transported to a hospital, and she later cooperated with law enforcement. Body-worn camera footage from officers, along with testimony at trial, formed the core of the evidence presented.
Key dates and events
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| July 6, 2020 | Shooting occurs in Los Angeles vehicle | Core incident leading to criminal charges |
| July 2020 | Arrest and initial charges filed | Formal accusation and detention |
| 2021 | Preliminary hearing and evidence proceedings | Court evaluates probable cause and admissibility |
| November 2022 | Jury trial concludes with guilty verdicts | Legal determination of responsibility |
| 2022 | Sentencing to 10 years in prison | Judicial penalty imposed |
Legal proceedings and verdict
Tory Lanez faced multiple counts arising from the shooting, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm, brandishing a firearm in public, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. In November 2022, a Los Angeles jury found him guilty on all major counts. The jury’s verdict confirmed that he was the person who fired the weapon at Megan Thee Stallion and that he had done so while possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. His prior 2006 felony weapons conviction formed part of the sentencing enhancement and the firearm charge. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and as of 2025 he remains incarcerated. Megan Thee Stallion filed a civil suit in addition to the criminal case, though detailed outcomes of that action are separate from the criminal verdict.
Context: impact on public discourse and policy debates
The shooting and subsequent trial amplified ongoing conversations about gun control, accountability for public figures, and protections for survivors of violence. Because Lanez was legally a felon at the time of the shooting, the case illustrated how laws restricting firearm possession apply to individuals with prior felony convictions. It also prompted broader discussions about the treatment of women in the music industry and the handling of trauma disclosures in media. While high-profile celebrity cases can sometimes fade from public attention, the legal principles addressed—gun laws, prior records, and sentencing—remain relevant and continue to inform policy debates and public understanding.
Summary of key verified facts
Tory Lanez was a convicted felon before the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion due to a 2006 felony weapons conviction. On July 6, 2020, he shot her in the foot during an argument in a Los Angeles vehicle. He was arrested, tried, and in November 2022 a jury found him guilty of multiple charges related to the shooting and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and remains incarcerated. Megan Thee Stallion publicly disclosed the shooting, cooperated with law enforcement, and has since used her platform to discuss trauma and empowerment. The legal and public narrative confirms his status as a prior felon at the time of the incident.