A stunning new claim in the high-profile Tory Lanez case has surfaced, potentially reshaping public discourse around the 2020 shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion. According to a revelation made at a press conference on Wednesday, a bodyguard formerly employed by Kelsey Harris has come forward, alleging that Harris admitted to being the shooter, not Lanez.
The press conference, hosted by Unite the People, the legal team representing Tory Lanez (real name Daystar Peterson), was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles. There, the team revealed that Bradley James, a former bodyguard for Kelsey Harris, has now broken his silence, claiming he overheard Harris confess to shooting Megan during a phone conversation.
James stated that the incident unfolded in the early hours of July 12, 2020, following an altercation inside a vehicle involving Megan Thee Stallion (real name Megan Pete), Tory Lanez, and Kelsey Harris. According to James’ account, after Megan exited the vehicle, Kelsey fired three shots at her. He further alleged that Lanez only became involved when he attempted to disarm Harris, causing the gun to discharge two additional times after hitting the ground.
“This further iterates Mr. Peterson did not shoot Ms. Pete, did not shoot at Ms. Pete, and did not assault Ms. Pete,” stated Unite the People consultant Water Roberts during the press event.
James explained his motivation for stepping forward now, nearly four years after the incident, citing a burdened conscience. “I couldn’t let an innocent man sit in prison any longer,” he said.
In light of this newly surfaced testimony, Tory Lanez’s legal team is calling for either a commutation of his sentence or a full pardon. Lanez is currently recovering in hospital after being reportedly stabbed 14 times in prison on Monday, May 12th.
Response from Megan Thee Stallion’s Attorney
In response to the claims, Megan Thee Stallion’s attorney, Alex Spiro, released a statement:
“Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers, and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter, this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.”
At the time of this report, representatives for both Kelsey Harris and Megan Thee Stallion have not publicly commented on the new allegations.
A Case That Shook Hip-Hop
Tory Lanez’s legal troubles began in October 2020 when he was charged with felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stemmed from a July 2020 incident in Los Angeles following a party at Kylie Jenner’s house. According to Megan’s testimony, an argument inside an SUV escalated, leading to Lanez allegedly shouting “Dance, b***h,” before shooting her in the foot.
Although Kelsey Harris was granted immunity during the trial, she provided limited cooperation, refusing to answer several questions regarding Lanez’s involvement despite earlier statements that he had threatened her with a gun. Lanez declined to testify in his own defense. Ultimately, in December 2022, he was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Since then, Lanez has consistently proclaimed his innocence and has filed several appeals. In March, Harris gave her first interview since the trial, asserting that video evidence exists that could exonerate her from suspicion as the shooter.
What Comes Next?
This latest development introduces a dramatic new chapter in a case that has captivated the music industry and the public alike. Whether the claims by Bradley James will hold any legal weight or lead to a retrial or review remains to be seen. Legal analysts say such post-conviction claims, while rare, can lead to case reopenings if substantiated by verifiable evidence.
As Lanez’s team pushes forward with calls for clemency, and Megan’s representatives uphold the legitimacy of the court’s ruling, the case remains a complex and emotionally charged saga in the intersection of celebrity, violence, and justice.
Written By Rodney Mbua
