Rapper Tory Lanez was found guilty Friday of all counts in a trial in Los Angeles for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion. He could face 22 years or more in prison and deportation to Canada.
A jury found him guilty of gross negligence firing a firearm, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and loading a vehicle with a loaded, unregistered firearm.
Megan Thee Stallion’s attorney, Alex Spiro, told CBS News, “The jury was right. Thank goodness for Meg.”
Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, testified that Lanez shot her in the foot five times after a party in the Hollywood Hills on July 12, 2020. It was especially hot when they started attacking each other’s music careers.
“I feel like it really rubbed him the wrong way,” she said during testimony, according to the Associated Press. “He kept screaming and cursing.”
She got out of the car and tried to walk away, but Lanez leaned over and opened fire, wounding her in the back of her leg. she testified. She eventually returned to her car, but she was quickly stopped. CBS Los Angeles reported.
she said she needed surgery remove bullet fragments on her feet.
in the statement release Shortly after the verdict was read out, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon praised Megan Thee Stallion’s “courage” and testified that she was “undeserved” “despite repeated grotesque attacks.” “He showed incredible courage and vulnerability,” he said.
“Women, especially black women, are afraid to report crimes such as assault and sexual violence because they are so mistrusted,” Gascon said.
Lanez’s attorney, George Mgdesyan, told CBS News by phone that the verdict was “disappointing,” adding that Lanez’s legal team would “consider all options necessary, including an appeal.”
During the trial, Megan Thee Stallion said she was wearing a thong bikini despite the shooting and agreed to return to the car with Lanez, his bodyguard and a third party. She was able to get in touch with him, according to CBS Los Angeles.
She also testified that Lanez had offered her a million dollars Because he was on probation, he kept quiet about the incident, but Lanez’s attorney said it wasn’t true.
In April Interview with “CBS Morning” co-host Gayle KingMegan Thee Stallion explained what led to the shooting and how she reacted.
“The altercation was between the two in the back seat,” she said. “So I asked the driver to stop the car. Like, I’m done with this. And I should have gotten out of the car. Like, I shouldn’t be back in the car. And they said,” Megan, get back in the car, we’re almost there.” And just, ‘Come back.’ So I got back in the car. It’s… getting worse.”
When the argument escalated, Megan Thee Stallion said she got out of the car, when she told King that Lanez had shot her several times.
“So I get out of the car and everything seems to happen so fast,” Megan Thee Stallion told King. “And all I hear is this guy screaming. And He said, “Dance, b—–!” And he started shooting. He shot several times. I was so scared ”