Santino Casio, the man who stabbed Tory Lanez 14 times in prison, explained to TMZ what incited him to try to take the rap star’s life.
Casio is serving a life sentence that began in 2004, according to ABC7 Los Angeles, after being convicted of “second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.” Six years were added on in 2008 when he was attacked “a prisoner with a deadly weapon.” Ten years later, in 2018, he also got two more years added for “possession and manufacture of a deadly weapon by a prisoner.”
He told TMZ that he was informed through the “prison grapevine” that Lanez had put a price on his head for whatever reason. And when Casio saw Lanez on May 12, he said he had a “suspicious lump” in his pocket. He said he believed that Lanez was hiding a weapon to take him out, so he attacked Lanez in self-defense.
According to multiple reports, Lanez was rushed to the emergency room at a civilian hospital in Bakersfield, about 40 miles from the prison, with collapsed lungs and was listed in critical condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.
What was stunning is that Casio told TMZ that he thought he and Lanez had a “decent relationship” before the violent attack.
Lanez’s legal team released a statement with the outlet in response to Casio’s account.
“The recent attempt on his life was savage and ferocious, underscoring the clear and present danger he faces while incarcerated. Any claim to the contrary, particularly from an individual serving a life sentence for heinous crimes, is not only baseless but an absurd fabrication… [Tory Lanez’s] continued confinement is both a miscarriage of justice and a threat to his safety. He must be released immediately.”
Lanez has since been moved to another prison, NewsNation reports.
Meanwhile, fans are left in shock and disbelief at Casio’s explanation and his ability to communicate with the media after such a heinous act:
“And why isn’t this man in solitary like wtf almost unalive someone and get to Make calls?” one fan asked, while a second expressed incredulity, saying, “Yeah, yeah, we know roc nation did it.” The fans’ skepticism adds to the tension and uncertainty surrounding the incident.
A third person inquired on The Neighborhood Talk’s Instagram comments section: “So someone put it in his head that Tory had a hit out on him so he can have a reason to stab Tory. Okay, got it!! Cus wth you mean “YOU THOUGHT.”
A fourth and fifth commenters said Casio is lying. “Cap why when yuu ain’t never leaving be for real,” and “🧢🧢🧢nah N—a it’s da Otha way around u was paid!! To take him out but GOD HAS TORY COVERED 🙏🏾❤️.”
