Megan Thee Stallion tells court fellow rapper Tory Lanez told her to ‘dance’ as he shot at her feet
Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion has told a jury that fellow rapper Tory Lanez told her to “dance” before shooting at her feet five times following a party at Kylie Jenner’s house in the Hollywood Hills.
The hip hop star gave evidence in court during the second day of an assault trial in Los Angeles, saying she was wounded in the incident.
“I’m in shock. I’m scared,” the 27-year-old told jurors, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I hear the gun going off, and I can’t believe he’s shooting at me.”
Tory Lanez pictured outside court during the second day of his trial. Pic: AP/Damian Dovarganes
Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, said she saw blood on her feet after the alleged incident, which happened following a party at The Kardashians star Jenner‘s home in July 2020, Sky News’ US affiliate NBC reports from California’s City News Service.
She reportedly told the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Centre courthouse that after she was shot, Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, offered her $1m (about £808,000) to keep quiet.
Canadian rapper Lanez, 30, has pleaded not guilty to discharging a firearm with gross negligence, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Megan wore a purple suit to give evidence in court.
“I just don’t feel good,” she said, at the beginning of questioning from deputy district attorney Kathy Ta. “I can’t believe I have to come in here and do this.”
Telling the court her memories of the night, she said she left Jenner’s party in a vehicle with Lanez, his bodyguard and her friend.
She and Lanez had become close, jurors heard, and had an occasionally sexual relationship.
Megan Thee Stallion performing at Glastonbury earlier in 2022
Megan’s friend, who had a “crush” on Lanez, tried to stir up trouble in the car, the court was told.
The rapper said the argument spiralled out of control and that she and Lanez started making digs about each other’s music and careers.
“I feel like that really rubbed him the wrong way,” she said. “He kept yelling and cursing.”
Megan said she was wearing a bikini, but got out of the vehicle and tried to walk away.
This is when Lanez leaned out and opened fire, she said, according to the reports, leaving the back of her feet wounded.
At one point, he yelled, “Dance, b*tch!”, she testified. “I looked down at my feet, and I see all the blood,” she said.
“Now everybody’s screaming. He looked shocked.”
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During the opening statements in the trial, Lanez’s attorney George Mgdesyan said Megan’s injury showed she could not have had a clear look at whoever shot the gun, and that he would present more evidence that countered her story during the trial.
If convicted on all counts, Lanez could be sentenced to more than 22 years in prison. He could also be deported to his native Canada.
Lanez’s career began in 2009, and he has had a successful run of mixtapes and major-label records since then, with his last two albums reaching the top 10 on the US Billboard charts.
Megan Thee Stallion was an up-and-coming star at the time of the alleged incident. In 2021, she won a Grammy for best new artist, and had number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 with her own song Savage featuring Beyonce, and as a guest on Cardi B‘s WAP, which featured Jenner in the video.
The trial continues.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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