News Releases

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Daystar Peterson, the rap artist known as Tory Lanez, was convicted of assault today in the 2020 shooting and wounding of former female friend Megan Pete in the Hollywood Hills.

“I want to start by highlighting the bravery of Megan Pete,” District Attorney Gascón said. “You showed incredible courage and vulnerability with your testimony despite repeated and grotesque attacks that you did not deserve. You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face and you have been an inspiration to others across LA County and the nation.

Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault and sexual violence because they are too often not believed. This trial, for the second time this month, highlighted the numerous ways that our society must do better for women.

I’d also like to thank the jurors for their time and thoughtful deliberation, and our trial team for their tireless pursuit of the truth. You spent countless hours away from your families during the holiday season preparing this case and finding justice for Ms. Pete. Your sacrifice is appreciated.”

After seven hours of deliberations, jurors found Peterson guilty of one count of assault with an automatic firearm and found true the allegations that he caused great bodily injury and used a firearm. He also was convicted of one count of carrying an unregistered loaded firearm in a vehicle and one count of discharge of a firearm with gross negligence. Peterson was immediately taken into custody after the verdict.

A sentencing hearing in case BA490599 was set for Jan. 27. Peterson faces a maximum sentence of 22 years and eight months.

Jurors were presented evidence showing that on July 12, 2020, Peterson and the victim were riding in an SUV in the Hollywood Hills. The victim got out of the vehicle and Peterson shot several times at the victim’s feet and wounded her.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.