Tory Lanez, a Canadian rapper and artist, took to social media on Thursday to make his first statement to his 10-year prison term for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. He maintained his innocence and refused to apologize.
Lanez, whose actual name is Daystar Peterson, shot fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the feet after an argument after they left a pool party hosted by reality star Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood residence in July 2020, according to NewsofAfrica. Following the shooting, Megan Thee Stallion had to have surgery to remove bullet fragments from her foot.
The 31-year-old has been incarcerated since December after being convicted of three gun-related offenses. Lanez was found guilty of three felonies: assault with a semi-automatic firearm, possessing a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and negligently discharging a firearm.
In his lengthy statement on Instagram, the Jerry Sprunger singer reiterated he was innocent. “I have never let a hard time intimidate me,” he wrote. “I will never let no jail time eliminate me. Regardless of how they try to spin my words, I have always maintained my innocence and I always will.”
Lanez apologized for his acts and accepted “full responsibility” for everything he “did wrong that night” before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford handed down his sentence on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. He also requested mercy from the judge.
But Lanez clarified in his Instagram post that he “took responsibility for all verbal and intimate moments that I shared with the parties involved…That’s it.”
He added: “In no way shape or form was I apologizing for the charges I’m being wrongfully convicted of. I remain on the stance that I refuse to apologize for something I did not do.”
“I’ve faced adversity my whole life and every time it looked like I would lose, I came out on top,” he further stated. “This is nothing but another moment where my back is against the wall and I refuse to stop fighting till I come out victorious. Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” The convicted musician also thanked his family, friends, and fans for their continued support.
Prosecutors had wanted a lengthy sentencing, arguing that Lanez shot a “vulnerable victim” and waged “a campaign to humiliate and re-traumatize her” after the shooting. Lawyers for Lanez said they plan to appeal.