Deadly Las Vegas shooting was livestreamed on YouTube, police report says
Deadly Las Vegas shooting was livestreamed on YouTube, police report says
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Suspect turns himself in after deadly Las Vegas Strip shooting
Two people died from gunshot wounds on the Las Vegas Strip. Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident and are searching for the suspect.
A yearslong online rivalry between two Las Vegas YouTubers turned deadly when one of them allegedly shot and killed the other earlier this month, according to a police report from the incident.
On June 8 around 10:40 p.m. local time, Manuel "Manny" Ruiz allegedly fatally shot Rodney Finley and his wife Tanisha Finley near the Bellagio fountains on the Las Vegas strip, according to the report obtained by USA TODAY.
Ruiz, 41, was identified as a suspect in the shooting. He turned himself in to authorities on June 9 and was charged with two counts of open murder with use of a deadly weapon, LVMPD said in a release.
According to the police report, Ruiz is claiming self-defense in the shooting. It's unclear if he has an attorney.
Police report: Suspect, victim had ongoing feud before fatal shooting
Manny Ruiz and Rodney Finley both ran YouTube channels in the Las Vegas area, according to the police report. They had a feud with each other that dated back to October 2023, the report said. Ruiz alleged Finley made negative comments about him and his wife online.
Ruiz told investigators that he recently had an altercation with Finley during which he was cited for battery. He had an upcoming court date for the incident on June 12, he told police.
In an interview with police, Ruiz's wife said they had previously received "verbal threats and insults" on their YouTube channel. They had also received hate mail at their home before, she said.
Witness recounted watching shooting on livestream
The police report also said both Ruiz and Rodney Finley were livestreaming on their YouTube channels when the shooting occurred.
A witness who watched Rodney Finley's livestream told police he saw Ruiz appear on screen, pull a gun from his waistband and fire at least five shots out of view. Tanisha Finley then grabbed the phone before the witness said he heard several more gunshots.
The phone fell to the ground and remained streaming until a police officer appeared in frame and shut the video off, the witness said.
Ruiz claims self-defense in fatal shooting
Ruiz told police he shot Rodney and Tanisha Finley in self-defense, according to the report.
He said Tanisha Finley was dancing in his face. He said he then saw Rodney Finley reaching for something in his waistband which he believed to be a weapon, which is when he fired.
After, he said he saw Tanisha Finley holding a "shiny black object" which he believed to be a weapon, leading Ruiz to fire at her.
According to the report, Ruiz was "adamant" to officers that he shot in self-defense and said he didn't know the Finleys were livestreaming. He also denied making any threats towards them.
Investigators showed Ruiz video of the incident, which "clearly shows Manny (Ruiz) advancing towards" the victims, according to the report.
Rodney and Tanisha Finley were 'soulmates,' GoFundMe says
Rodney Finley, 44, and Tanisha Finley, 43, were identified as the victims killed in the shooting.
At the time of the shooting, officers responded and rendered medical assistance, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, LVMPD Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said during a press conference.
According to a GoFundMe page organized by Tanisha Finley's brother, Rodney and Tanisha Finley had four kids together. One of the couple's children, Rakia Finley, told 12News that her parents "were literally soulmates."
The GoFundMe said the couple's deaths "have left the family in deep mourning."
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
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