If you’ve spent any time on social media over the last few years, you’ve seen the name Daystar Peterson. Most people know him as Tory Lanez, the melodic rapper-singer who could turn a sample into a hit in his sleep. But since that chaotic night in the Hollywood Hills back in July 2020, his name has been less about the Billboard charts and more about the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
It’s been a wild ride. Honestly, the amount of misinformation floating around about the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion is staggering. Some fans still think there was a secret third shooter, while others are convinced the whole thing was a setup.
The reality? It’s a lot more sobering.
The Night Everything Changed
The details are messy. Basically, what we know for sure is that a group left a party at Kylie Jenner’s house. Tensions were high. In the car were Peterson, Megan Pete (Megan Thee Stallion), her then-friend Kelsey Harris, and a security guard.
According to the testimony that a jury eventually believed, an argument broke out. Megan got out of the car. Peterson allegedly shouted, "Dance, bitch!" before firing a semiautomatic 9mm at her feet.
He didn't hit a bone, but he did leave her feet full of bullet fragments.
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Peterson has always maintained his innocence. Even after he was convicted in December 2022 on three felony counts—assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence—he kept fighting.
Where is Daystar Peterson Now?
Right now, Daystar Peterson is serving a 10-year prison sentence.
His location has shifted a bit. After his initial sentencing, he was at North Kern State Prison, but he was eventually moved. Most recently, reports placed him at the California Men’s Colony near San Luis Obispo. This move followed a pretty scary incident in May 2025, where Peterson was reportedly attacked by another inmate at a different facility.
Prison life hasn't been quiet for him. Even from behind bars, he’s been a central figure in ongoing legal drama. Just recently, in late 2025, a California appellate court denied his appeal to overturn the conviction. The judges basically said, "No, the trial was fair, and the evidence was sufficient." That was a massive blow to his legal team, who had been pinning their hopes on new affidavits and claims of "ineffective counsel."
The Fallout Nobody Talks About
The Peterson case isn't just about a shooting. It’s about the culture.
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For years, the internet was split. You had "Team Tory" and "Team Megan." It became a proxy war for how we treat Black women who report violence. Megan was dragged through the mud—called a liar, a snitch, and worse.
But the legal system didn't care about the hashtags.
What’s interesting is how the civil side of this is playing out in 2026. Peterson has been dragged into a defamation lawsuit between Megan and a blogger named Milagro Gramz. Megan claimed that Gramz was essentially a "paid surrogate" for Peterson, spreading lies to help his appeal. Peterson was even held in contempt of court for being uncooperative during depositions.
He reportedly told a judge, "I'm a millionaire, I don't care," regarding fines. That kind of defiance might play well in a rap verse, but it’s a tough look in a federal courtroom.
Why the Appeals Keep Failing
A lot of people ask: "If he's innocent, why can't he win an appeal?"
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Appeals aren't a "do-over" of the trial. You don't just get to say "I didn't do it" again. You have to prove the law was broken during the trial. Peterson’s team tried to argue that:
- DNA evidence was inconclusive (the jury knew this).
- His previous lawyer was bad (the court disagreed).
- There was "new" evidence from a witness named Bryan Smith.
The court rejected all of it. In November 2025, the California 2nd District Court of Appeal issued a 46-page opinion. They found that even if there were small errors, they weren't enough to change the outcome.
Basically, the "smoking gun" his fans were waiting for never materialized.
What This Means for the Music
Musically, Peterson has tried to stay relevant. He released Alone At Prom (Deluxe) and other projects, but the momentum is different now. It’s hard to maintain a career when you can’t tour, can’t do press, and your "brand" is inextricably linked to a violent felony.
Some peers, like Drake, have signaled support for him, but the industry at large has moved on. The "cancel culture" he rapped about on his DAYSTAR album didn't exactly erase him, but the 10-year sentence certainly paused the clock.
Actionable Insights and Next Steps
If you're following the Daystar Peterson saga, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the California Supreme Court: Since his appellate court loss in late 2025, his last real move is a petition to the state's highest court. It's a long shot, but it's the final "Hail Mary."
- Civil Trial Outcomes: Keep an eye on the defamation cases. If it's proven that Peterson used third parties to harass Megan while incarcerated, he could face further legal penalties or internal prison discipline.
- Parole Eligibility: Under California law, Peterson may be eligible for parole earlier than the full 10 years, depending on his behavior and "good time" credits. However, given his recent contempt charges and uncooperative depositions, those credits might be at risk.
- Deportation Risk: Don't forget, Peterson is a Canadian citizen. Once his sentence is served—whenever that is—he faces a very high probability of being deported from the United States and barred from re-entry.
The story of Daystar Peterson is a cautionary tale about ego, alcohol, and the high price of a single night's mistakes. Whether you're a fan of the music or a follower of the legal drama, the facts remain: the courts have spoken, and for now, the "Say It" singer is staying put.