News Summary
Manuel Ruiz, a 41-year-old Las Vegas resident, has been arrested for the fatal shooting of Rodney and Tanisha Finley on the Las Vegas Strip. The incident, captured during a livestream, arose from a feud linked to social media exchanges. Despite Ruiz asserting self-defense, police found no firearms near the victims, and surveillance footage showed him discarding evidence as he fled. Charged with multiple counts of murder, he is currently held without bail pending court proceedings.
Las Vegas
Manuel Ruiz, a 41-year-old resident of Las Vegas, has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of two individuals, Rodney Finley, 44, and Tanisha Finley, 43, on the Las Vegas Strip. The incident occurred on Sunday night near the famous Bellagio fountains and was notably captured during a YouTube livestream from Rodney Finley’s account, known as “Finny Da Legend.” Following the shooting, Ruiz surrendered to police on Monday.
The violent confrontation reportedly arose from a long-standing feud between Ruiz and the Finleys, traced back to social media interactions that began around Halloween 2023. Eyewitnesses present during the livestream indicated that Ruiz brandished a firearm from his waistband before opening fire on the Finleys amidst their ongoing exchange.
Ruiz claims that his actions were in self-defense, asserting that he perceived Rodney Finley reaching for a weapon when he approached with the words “What up cuz?” He also asserted that Tanisha Finley was holding a “shiny black object” that he assumed was a firearm when he shot her. However, police have stated that no firearms were recovered near the Finleys following the shooting, and no weapons were visible in the livestream footage.
Details of the Incident
Investigation details reveal that detectives utilized casino surveillance footage to identify Ruiz after he fled the scene of the shooting. They noted footage that showed Ruiz discarding a hat and shirt as he made his escape. Police later found a 9mm handgun hidden between a fence and a wall at the Paris Hotel parking garage, which matched the cartridge casings discovered at the shooting site during ballistics analysis.
Ruiz’s wife, who did not witness the shooting, reported to law enforcement that she believed her husband had shot someone after hearing gunfire. It was revealed that the family had faced threats via YouTube comments and hate mail leading up to the incident, which may have contributed to Ruiz’s concerns for his safety. Ruiz had previously been cited for battery following an altercation with the Finleys on Fremont Street, indicating a history of conflict between the parties involved.
Aftermath and Legal Consequences
After the shooting, Ruiz fled on foot, initially taking a rideshare to the New York-New York Hotel and then walking to a friend’s home. The friend reportedly encouraged him to surrender to authorities. Despite Ruiz’s claim of acting in self-defense, a video from the livestream allegedly showed him moving towards the Finleys while discharging his weapon, contradicting his statements.
On multiple charges of open murder with a deadly weapon, Ruiz is currently being held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, June 12, where he will face serious legal repercussions stemming from the fatalities.
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Additional Resources
- News3LV
- Wikipedia: Las Vegas
- 8 News Now
- Google Search: Las Vegas Strip
- Fox5 Vegas
- Google Scholar: Las Vegas shooting
- KTNV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas
- Times of India
- Google News: Las Vegas shooting
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LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
