More than 110,000 people have signed a petition in just 24 hours, calling California Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon rapper Tory Lanez. The sudden surge of support follows the release of new evidence that Lanez’s supporters believe could completely change the narrative of the 2020 shooting incident involving Megan Thee Stallion.
The petition, launched by the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, has quickly become one of the most talked-about topics in hip-hop and legal circles. The heart of the campaign? Claims that key evidence was overlooked or ignored during Lanez’s trial—and that the Canadian rapper may not have been the shooter after all.
Tory Lanez—whose real name is Daystar Peterson—was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of three felonies connected to the July 2020 shooting. The trial concluded with Lanez being found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
Prosecutors claimed that the shooting stemmed from a heated argument between Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion, escalating after Megan allegedly insulted Lanez’s music. Megan suffered bullet fragments in her feet and later testified during the trial, an act praised by the Los Angeles District Attorney for its bravery.
But Lanez supporters are now pointing to a different version of events—one they believe was buried beneath the weight of media scrutiny and courtroom drama.
The Change.org petition argues that there are serious gaps in the original investigation and trial. Among the points raised:
- No DNA Match: Lanez’s DNA was reportedly not found on the magazine of the gun used, though gunshot residue was detected on both him and another person at the scene—Kelsey Harris, a former friend of Megan.
- Eyewitness Confusion: A neighbor who witnessed the commotion claimed to have seen two women fighting, and said the shots came from the side of the car where Harris was sitting.
- A Sworn Affidavit: One of the more explosive claims is a signed statement from a former bodyguard, alleging that Harris admitted to firing the gun into the air before Lanez tried to intervene.
Lanez’s legal team alleges that the prosecution focused too narrowly on him, ignoring or suppressing these counter-narratives. They also point to what they describe as unusually harsh sentencing, noting that enhancements typically used for gang cases were applied to Lanez’s charges.
One supporter wrote, “Tory’s music got me through things I didn’t think I’d survive. He was more than just an artist—he was my escape.”
Another shared, “His story, his lyrics, his pain—it all felt so real. To see him locked up while there are still so many unanswered questions feels wrong.”
Lanez has always strived to deliver music that connects with his audience on a personal level. Whether crooning R&B ballads or delivering hard-hitting bars, he’s earned a reputation for staying true to his craft. Many fans believe that it’s precisely this honesty in his art that has kept them loyal—and now vocal.
The petition is asking for three things from Governor Newsom:
- A full pardon for Tory Lanez.
- A removal of what it calls politically motivated sentence enhancements.
- A fresh and unbiased review of the case.
Governor Newsom has not yet responded to the petition, but its explosive growth is hard to ignore. Legal experts say it’s rare for such efforts to change a case directly, but public pressure has sometimes led to new reviews or reduced sentences.
Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence under what the petition describes as “deeply contested circumstances,” with additional claims that he “recently survived an alleged attempt on his life while in custody.”
While the petition’s rapid accumulation of signatures signals significant public interest, it remains uncertain whether Governor Newsom will act on the requests. The outcome will likely hinge on the credibility of the new evidence and the political will to revisit a high-profile case that continues to captivate public attention nearly five years after the original incident.