Latest news with #LVMPD
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Couple identified as victims in deadly Las Vegas shooting allegedly over online dispute
The two people killed in a June 8 shooting on the Las Vegas strip have been identified as Rodney Finley, 44, and Tanisha Finley, 43, according to the Clark County coroner's office. The couple was shot around 10:40 p.m. local time near the Bellagio fountains, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said. Officers responded and rendered medical assistance, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, LVMPD Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said during a press conference. Investigators identified 41-year-old Manuel Ruiz as a suspect in the shooting. He turned himself in to authorities on June 9, LVMPD said in a release. He was charged with two counts of open murder with use of a deadly weapon. Walsh said during the press conference that the suspect, who has since been identified as Ruiz, and the two victims "had previously engaged in some type of conflict using a variety of social media platforms." In addition, Walsh acknowledged that there was reports circulating social media about the shooting and asked for anyone with information to contact officials. Rodney Finley was a prominent YouTube creator and may have had a conflict with Ruiz before the shooting, multiple local outlets including the Las Vegas Review-Journal, KLAS and 12News reported. The reports also said Ruiz has claimed self defense; USA TODAY has reached out to LVMPD for more information. 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." Contributing: Julia Gomez, USA TODAY Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Couple identified as victims killed near Las Vegas' Bellagio fountains
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Deadly Las Vegas shooting was livestreamed on YouTube, police report says
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. 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. 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 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 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 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas men had online feud before shooting, police report says
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
Deadly Las Vegas shooting was livestreamed on YouTube, police report says
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. 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. 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 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 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."
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
Deadly Las Vegas shooting was livestreamed on YouTube, police report says
Deadly Las Vegas shooting was livestreamed on YouTube, police report says Show Caption Hide Caption 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
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Passenger 'Threw Fireworks' from a Car, Causing Fire on the Las Vegas Strip, Police Say: There Was a 'Big Explosion'
A fire broke out on the Las Vegas Strip on June 14 after authorities said "an occupant in a vehicle threw fireworks, causing a tree to catch fire" "This was crazy. Never in my life would I have ever expected this," one eyewitness said in a TikTok video The suspects currently remain at largeA fire broke out on the Las Vegas Strip this weekend. Witnesses in the Nevada city reported hearing an "explosion" before spotting a fire, and a car then taking off from the scene, on Saturday, June 14. Multiple social media users shared clips of what appeared to be a blaze around the area of the Aria Resort and Casino and Planet Hollywood Las Vegas. In a statement on X, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said authorities investigated a "small fire in the 3700 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard," which they said was caused after "an occupant in a vehicle threw fireworks, causing a tree to catch fire." "The fire was contained to a small area and was extinguished quickly," police added in their social media statement. In footage shared online, a palm tree could be seen on fire as multiple police vehicles surrounded the blaze, and as one official stood in a lane of traffic. One video shared shows a white vehicle driving off. The user who posted the clip claimed it was a "video of the driver driving away." It is not immediately clear if any injuries were sustained or if any damage was caused as a result of the incident. The suspects currently remain at large. The LVMPD, the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the Aria Resort and Casino did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for further information on June 14. Another social media user described the incident in a post as a "big explosion" that took place "right in front of the Aria." An additional angle, shared by showed an overhead view of the scene, as officers pointed out the fire to each other. Other witnesses described the sound as a "huge boom." "We heard the bang, luckily, I was able to get video from somebody that was recording it," one TikTok user said, adding, "Everybody stay safe out here in Las Vegas, baby. This was crazy. Never in my life would I have ever expected this." The fire took place several days after a shooting occurred on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, June 8, when two people were fatally shot while livestreaming on their YouTube channel, according to the Associated Press. The victims were identified as Tanisha Finley, 43, and Rodney Finley, 44, while the suspect, Manuel D. Ruiz, surrendered the following day and now faces two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon. Read the original article on People
