A tragic incident unfolded last weekend on the bustling Las Vegas Strip, resulting in the death of two individuals. The victims, identified as Tanisha Finley, 43, and Rodney Finley, 44, met their untimely end due to multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Clark County coroner’s office. Disturbingly, the event was recorded and livestreamed on the victims’ shared YouTube channel, reports indicate.
The incident, which occurred near the iconic Bellagio fountains, has been described as an isolated altercation between the victims and the suspect, one Manuel D. Ruiz, 41. According to Las Vegas police, Ruiz had been involved in an ongoing feud with the victims on social media since at least 2023. Ruiz turned himself in to the authorities the following morning.
The evidence suggests that the accused now faces two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon and is currently being held without bail. Ruiz, in his statement to police, claimed he was acting in self-defense. His defense has yet to issue a comment.
This development follows earlier reports that the video livestream showed the suspect drawing a weapon from his waistband and firing an estimated five to six shots initially. Additional gunshots can be heard after Tanisha Finley is seen reaching for the cellphone used for the livestream. The phone subsequently fell and lay still until a police officer appeared on camera to end the livestream.
This incident has raised important questions about the role of social media and the public’s access to real-time events. The suspect, Ruiz, also operated a YouTube channel and was livestreaming from the Strip on the tragic night.
According to reliable sources, Ruiz alleged he began shooting because he believed one victim was reaching for a weapon. However, police have stated no firearms were found on either victim.
The shooting occurred on one of the busiest stretches of the Las Vegas Strip, adjacent to the Bellagio fountains. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that lurk even in the most frequented public spaces.
