Tory Lanez stabbing: Santino Casio revealed as the inmate behind the attack

The inmate who allegedly stabbed Canadian rapper Tory Lanez 14 times in a California prison has been identified as 41-year-old Santino Casio, a convicted killer serving a life sentence for murder.

Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, was stabbed in a violent attack at a Florida prison on Monday. 

According to reports by “TMZ”, the rapper was attacked by another inmate in a housing unit at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi.

The incident took place on May 12 at 7.20pm. A post on Peterson’s Instagram account, reportedly shared on his behalf, stated that the “Say It” hitmaker suffered severe injuries, including seven stab wounds to his back, two to the back of his head, and one to his face. 

The attack caused both of his lungs to collapse, but he is now breathing on his own and is said to be “in good spirits and deeply thankful to God that he is pulling through.”

The post read: “Tory was stabbed 14 times - including 7 wounds to his back, 4 to his torso, 2 to the back of his head, and 1 to the left side of his face. 

“Both of his lungs collapsed, and he was placed on a breathing apparatus. He is now breathing on his own. Despite being in pain, he is talking normally, in good spirits, and deeply thankful to God that he is pulling through.

"He also wants to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support.”

The suspect allegedly behind the attack has been identified as Casio, a convicted killer serving a life sentence for murder at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. 

According to "BBC", Casio has been placed in restricted housing pending an investigation into the incident. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shared with the network that Casio is serving a life sentence for murder.

The inmate arrived at the Tehachapi institution in February 2004 and was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, personal use of a dangerous or deadly weapon, and inflicting bodily injury.

While in prison, he has added more charges to his name, including a six-year sentence for assaulting a fellow prisoner with a deadly weapon in 2008 and a two-year sentence for possessing a deadly weapon in 2018.

The incident occurred at the George C. Moore Facility in Lake Butler, where Peterson is currently serving a 10-year sentence for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. 

In December 2022, the 32-year-old rapper was convicted of shooting Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, during an argument in the Hollywood Hills in July 2020.

The shooting case drew widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of both artists involved. Peterson has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, but the conviction led to his current prison sentence.

He pleaded not guilty on all counts ahead of his trial, was charged with discharging a firearm with gross negligence, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. The singer-songwriter was sentenced to ten years on August 8, 2023.

The motive behind the stabbing is yet to be disclosed, and authorities are investigating the incident. 

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Peterson is eligible for parole in July 2029 and is expected to be released in 2033.

The Canadian hip hop artist rose to fame in the 2010s with his mixtapes and debut album, “I Told You”. He has since released several successful projects, collaborating with renowned artists like Chris Brown, rapper Drake, and ASAP Ferg.