Rapper Tory Lanez, currently serving a ten-year sentence for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, was stabbed multiple times in prison on Monday, 12 May 2025.
Inmate charged with stabbing Tory Lanez unmasked
Prison officials at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, California, have since identified Santino Casio, a 42-year-old inmate, as the person under investigation for the attack.
According to a spokesperson from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), who spoke to The NY Post, the stabbing happened around 07:20 PST (which is 16:20 SAST) in one of the housing units where inmates are kept.
Casio is now at the centre of an internal prison investigation.
So, who exactly is Santino Casio?
A history of violence
Casio has been in prison since 2004, when he was convicted of several extremely violent crimes. These included second-degree murder, attempted murder, use of a deadly weapon, and causing serious injury to another person.
In short, he was found guilty of killing and attempting to kill others using dangerous weapons — and his sentence reflected that. He was given life in prison, but with the possibility of parole, meaning that under certain conditions, he could be considered for release.
His parole eligibility began in June 2021, but during a hearing later that year, Casio was denied parole for seven years, pushing his next hearing to November 2028.
A chilling case
Casio’s original case was especially disturbing.
He was just 22 years old when he was accused of shooting his 13-year-old girlfriend, Evelyn Brenda Cendejas, in the face with a shotgun.
According to courtroom testimony, two of his relatives heard an argument between Casio and Evelyn moments before the shooting. A witness later described seeing him flee the apartment looking “pale and shocked.”
Inside the room, the scene was horrifying. Forensic experts testified that the shotgun was fired from only four inches away (0.1m), and that the angle of the blast suggested Evelyn may have been shot while the gun was pointed upward — possibly as she raised her hand to protect herself.
The blast was so strong, it sprayed blood and tissue onto the walls and ceiling.
Following the murder, Casio went into hiding and was found nearly two weeks later, on 20 June 2002.
During the investigation, additional charges were brought forward, including two separate attempted murders, in which he allegedly used a knife and inflicted serious injuries on his victims.
What happened to Tory Lanez?
The stabbing of Tory Lanez has drawn widespread attention and online speculation, with some blaming outside conspiracies.
According to Lanez’s team, he sustained 14 stab wounds:
- Seven to his back
- Four to his torso
- Two to the back of his head
- One to the side of his face
Both his lungs collapsed, and he was placed on a breathing machine. As of now, Lanez is breathing on his own and said to be in good spirits.
“Despite being in pain, he is talking normally, in good spirits, and deeply thankful to God that he is pulling through,” his team said.
What’s next for Santino Casio?
While Casio is still officially only “under investigation,” his existing record and violent history make the case all the more serious.
If the prison’s investigation confirms that he did carry out the attack, he could face additional criminal charges, further lengthening his incarceration.
For now, Santino Casio remains in custody, and Tory Lanez continues to recover under medical supervision.
