In a dramatic turn in the ongoing legal saga, Grammy-winning artist Megan Pete, known professionally as Megan Thee Stallion, delivered powerful testimony in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday. She recounted to jurors the harrowing events of a night over two years ago in the Hollywood Hills, alleging that rapper Tory Lanez discharged a firearm at her feet, demanding she dance and ultimately wounding her as she attempted to walk away from a heated argument.
“I’m in shock. I’m scared,” Megan Pete testified, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “I hear the gun going off, and I can’t believe he’s shooting at me.” The courtroom listened intently as the hip-hop icon detailed the distressing incident.
Her compelling testimony marked the second day of the trial against Daystar Peterson, 30, known in the music industry as Tory Lanez. Peterson has entered a plea of not guilty to charges including discharging a firearm with gross negligence, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm within a vehicle.
The courtroom and its surroundings were charged with emotion, as supporters for both artists gathered. Megan Pete, dressed in a striking purple suit and accompanied by significant security personnel, entered the courtroom late Tuesday morning to begin her testimony.
Before delving into the specifics of the night, Megan Pete, 27, expressed the emotional toll of the trial. “I just don’t feel good,” she stated at the outset of questioning by Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta. “I can’t believe I have to come in here and do this.”
Megan Pete then described the events of July 12, 2020, beginning with a party at Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood Hills residence. She recounted leaving the party in an SUV alongside Lanez, his bodyguard, and her friend Kelsey Harris, setting the stage for the altercation that would soon unfold.
According to her testimony, Megan Pete and Lanez had developed a close relationship, finding common ground in the shared experience of losing their mothers. This bond had evolved into an intimate, though not exclusive, relationship. Complicating matters was her friend, Kelsey Harris, who Megan described as having a “crush” on Lanez, and who allegedly attempted to instigate conflict between the two women by accusing Megan of dishonesty.
Argument Escalates, Shots Fired
The initial disagreement within the vehicle quickly escalated, intensifying further when Megan Pete and Lanez began exchanging insults regarding each other’s musical abilities and career achievements.
“I feel like that really rubbed him the wrong way,” Megan Pete explained to the court, suggesting this criticism wounded Lanez’s ego. “He kept yelling and cursing.”
Desperate to remove herself from the escalating conflict, Megan Pete testified that she exited the SUV and began walking away. Despite being dressed in a bikini, she prioritized escape from the volatile situation. It was at this point, she alleged, that Lanez leaned out of the vehicle and discharged a firearm multiple times, wounding her in the back of her feet. She vividly recalled Lanez yelling, “Dance, b——-!” amidst the chaos.
“I looked down at my feet, and I see all the blood,” Megan Pete recounted, painting a graphic picture of the immediate aftermath. “Now everybody’s screaming. He looked shocked. Kelsey looked shocked.” The scene, as she described it, was one of sudden violence and widespread panic.
Defense Challenges Account
In contrast to Megan Pete’s detailed account, Tory Lanez’s attorney, George Mgdesyan, presented a different narrative during his opening statement. Mgdesyan argued that the nature of Megan Pete’s foot injury indicated she could not have clearly seen the shooter, suggesting doubt about her perspective. He stated the defense would present further evidence throughout the trial to challenge her version of events.
Throughout Megan Pete’s testimony, Lanez remained present at the defense table, dressed in a tan suit and turtleneck, taking notes. He had arrived at court accompanied by his young son, holding his hand, and was seen carrying the boy during breaks, presenting a contrasting image to the serious charges he faces. “This is my support system and I’m his too,” Lanez told reporters, highlighting his personal stakes in the trial.
Daystar Peterson, if convicted on all charges, faces a potential sentence exceeding 22 years in prison. Furthermore, conviction could lead to his deportation to Canada, his country of origin, adding another layer of consequence to the legal proceedings.
Megan Pete’s Rise Amidst Legal Battles
Despite the personal trauma and ongoing legal battle, Megan Pete, professionally known as Megan Thee Stallion, has experienced an extraordinary ascent in her music career since the incident. At the time of the alleged shooting, she was already recognized as a significant emerging talent. Her career has since reached even greater heights, solidifying her status as a global superstar. In 2021, she received the prestigious Grammy Award for best new artist. Her chart-topping success includes No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, both as a lead artist with her track “Savage” featuring Beyoncé, and as a featured artist on Cardi B’s groundbreaking hit “WAP.”
The trial continues to unfold, with Megan Pete’s testimony serving as a pivotal moment in a case that has captivated public attention, blending celebrity, violence, and the complexities of justice within the entertainment industry.
