LOS ANGELES (AP) — On Tuesday, Megan Thee Stallion filed a request with a court to issue a restraining order against Tory Lanez. She accused him of continuing to harass her while he is incarcerated, allegedly utilizing third parties to relay his messages and engage in online harassment during his 10-year sentence for shooting her in the feet.
The petition, submitted in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks to prevent Lanez—whose legal name is Daystar Peterson—from orchestrating further harassment through surrogates, similar to actions he took before his imprisonment. “Mr. Peterson shows no signs of halting his behavior, even from behind bars,” the petition states, highlighting that he is still inflicting trauma on Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete, despite his conviction.
According to the filing, prison call logs from Lanez at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi indicate that he is actively coordinating efforts to undermine Megan’s credibility. These activities include spreading false claims that essential evidence in her case, such as the gun and bullet fragments, are missing.
The petition notes that a previous protective order designed to stop Lanez’s harassment is no longer in effect, pointing out this gap in the criminal justice system as a significant flaw.
Megan Thee Stallion, now 29, was an emerging star when the shooting occurred. Since then, her career has skyrocketed, earning her a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2021 and producing chart-topping singles, including “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, and her collaboration with Cardi B on “WAP.” On the other hand, Lanez, 32, began releasing mixtapes in 2009 and saw his popularity grow, with his last two albums reaching the Billboard top ten.
The legal issues began after Lanez was convicted of three felonies in December 2022: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. His attorneys have appealed the conviction, and a judge has already denied a request for a new trial.
The uproar surrounding this case has highlighted critical discussions within the hip-hop community, touching on issues like the challenges Black victims face when confronting the legal system, gender dynamics in the industry, and the pervasive toxicity online. It has also raised awareness about the need to protect Black women and the specific brand of misogyny, termed misogynoir, that they often endure.
Moreover, the petition accuses certain bloggers acting on Lanez’s behalf of continuing to cast doubt on Megan’s claims. One specific individual, Elizabeth Milagro Cooper, whom Megan is suing in a separate case, has been labeled as Lanez’s “puppet and mouthpiece.” Cooper has been accused of disseminating misinformation, including questioning whether Megan can even prove she was shot and labeling her a “professional victim.”
Cooper’s attorney, Michael Pancier, chose not to comment on the California petition but stated that their forthcoming response to Megan’s separate lawsuit would clarify their position. A previous motion to dismiss this lawsuit characterized it as riddled with “dubious legal claims” and irrelevant allegations.
A court hearing regarding the restraining order is slated for January 9. An email seeking comments from Lanez’s legal team has yet to receive a response.
Megan testified during the trial that in July 2020, following a party at Kylie Jenner’s home, Lanez fired a gun at her feet while demanding she dance after they exited an SUV. It took months for her to disclose who shot her, a revelation that sparked significant public discourse and controversy.
