The inmate accused of stabbing rapper Tory Lanez in prison has been identified as Santino Casio, a 42-year-old currently serving a life sentence for second-degree murder and other violent offences.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed Casio as the suspect behind the May 12, 2025 attack at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi.
Casio’s criminal history spans over two decades. He was sentenced in 2004 to life with the possibility of parole after being convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and personal use of a deadly weapon. The court also cited infliction of great bodily injury during the original case.
His record of violence continued inside prison. In 2008, Casio received an additional six-year sentence for assaulting another inmate with a deadly weapon likely to cause serious injury. Over a decade later, he was sentenced to another two years for possession and manufacture of a weapon while incarcerated.
The CDCR released a mugshot showing Casio as bald and heavily tattooed. Descriptions from prison officials indicate he remains a high-risk inmate with a history of aggression.
Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was stabbed multiple times in what authorities described as a targeted assault. Lanez’s legal team stated via Instagram that he suffered 14 stab wounds — including to his back, torso, head, and face. He was transported to hospital in Bakersfield where he is now recovering.
