Megan Thee Stallion has filed a legal request for a restraining order against Tory Lanez, alleging that he continues to harass her through third parties despite being imprisoned. Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, is currently serving a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete, in the feet during a 2020 incident in Los Angeles. The restraining order, submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court, aims to prevent Lanez from orchestrating online harassment campaigns against Megan from behind bars.
According to the petition, Lanez has been using surrogates to perpetuate harassment that began before his incarceration. Megan’s filing claims this ongoing behavior subjects her to ongoing trauma and revictimization.
“Even now, while behind bars, Mr. Peterson shows no signs of stopping,” the document states. “Despite being sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Ms. Pete, Mr. Peterson continues to subject her to repeated trauma and revictimization.”
A court hearing regarding this petition is scheduled for January 9, 2024.Megan’s legal team asserts that bloggers and online influencers acting on Lanez’s behalf are disseminating false claims, such as allegations that the firearm and bullet fragments involved in the case are missing. This latest action follows Megan’s October lawsuit against Milagro Gramz, a prominent content creator known legally as Milagro Elizabeth Cooper. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, accuses Cooper of intentionally spreading misinformation to harm Megan’s reputation, including sharing deepfake pornography of the artist and cyberstalking her.
The restraining order also highlights a significant gap in the justice system. It points out that a previously issued protective order, designed to safeguard Megan from harassment, is no longer in effect, leaving her vulnerable to Lanez’s alleged ongoing actions. Lanez is currently held at a California prison in Tehachapi, a rural area.
Lanez’s legal troubles stem from a December 2022 conviction on three felony charges: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. Despite efforts by Lanez’s lawyers to secure a new trial, their motion was denied, and an appeal is pending. Lanez was sentenced in August 2023, marking the culmination of a legal saga that has spanned over three years and deeply affected both parties’ personal and professional lives.
The 2020 shooting incident occurred after a party at Kylie Jenner’s home in the Hollywood Hills. Megan testified during the trial that Lanez fired at her feet as she walked away from an SUV they had been riding in, shouting at her to dance. Although Megan did not initially disclose the shooter’s identity, she later revealed it was Lanez. The case drew widespread attention, not only for its legal complexities but also for its cultural implications.
The trial highlighted numerous social issues, including the hesitation of Black victims to involve law enforcement, misogyny within the hip-hop industry, and the unique challenges Black women face, encapsulated by the term “misogynoir.” Megan’s ordeal sparked broader conversations about protecting Black women, addressing online toxicity, and confronting systemic inequalities in the entertainment industry and beyond.
While Lanez’s sentence seemed to conclude a protracted legal battle, the restraining order request underscores that the case’s emotional and social fallout continues to reverberate. Megan’s actions signal a determination to safeguard her peace and dignity while shedding light on persistent challenges victims face in seeking justice and healing.
As this case moves forward, it remains a poignant example of the intersections between celebrity culture, gender dynamics, and systemic bias, urging society to grapple with these complex issues in meaningful ways.
