After being in and out of jail for drug charges over the years, Lauri Peterson’s son Josh Waring faced even more serious charges in 2016 for attempted murder. Waring, then 27, allegedly shot a 35-year-old man in the lower torso following a confrontation at a residence, according to the Los Angeles Times’ Daily Pilot. Waring reportedly fled the scene in an SUV and prompted a police chase before being taken into custody.

After awaiting trial in jail, Josh spoke up in defense of his innocence. “I already have the stigma of being a drug addict, now I’d have the stigma of being violent,” he told Showbiz Cheat Sheet in 2019. “It’s really hard.” Josh alleged the perpetrator was a man named Bryan Golstein, who Josh claimed is a police informant. The same year, Josh was the victim of a brutal jailhouse beating by an inmate that left his face slashed.

Lauri told TMZ she believed the 2019 attack was premeditated. “Josh has been telling me over the last few years that his life is in danger and that guards have been threatening to kill him and other inmates have attacked him,” she said. “I’m still very fearful there’s going to be a next time because Josh has become a target and I’m terrified for him.”