Tory Lanez Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Assault in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

Tory Lanez faces up to 22 years in prison if convicted.

On Wednesday, Tory Lanez officially pled not guilty to felony charges of assault in connection with the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion in Hollywood back in July.

Back in October, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Lanez (Daystar Peterson) was charged with one felony count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm -- personal use of a firearm. This charge is in addition to the original felony count of carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. Lanez faces up to 22 years and eight months in prison if convicted. 

Lanez entered the plea in an arraignment on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The news follows the release of a new album alleging he wasn’t involved in the incident.Lanez is due back in a California court on January 20, 2021. His defense attorney, Shawn Holley, has refused to make a public statement at this point.

During the hearing, the D.A.'s office said it was in the process of determining whether Lanez will face additional charges due to potentially violating the protective order Megan has on him by releasing an album proclaiming his innocence and publicly posting about the incident.

According to California's Penal Code 273.6, violating protective orders are usually considered misdemeanors, but the violation could come with a penalty of up to a year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Repeat violations can garner a sentence of one year in jail up to three years in state prison, with as much as a $10,000 fine.