A tragic Las Vegas Strip shooting over the weekend resulted in the deaths of a married couple, whose final moments were livestreamed on their shared YouTube channel, according to police reports. The victims, identified by the Clark County coroner’s office as Tanisha Finley, 43, and Rodney Finley, 44, were fatally shot in what police say was an isolated incident linked to an ongoing feud.
The shooting occurred Sunday night near the Bellagio fountains, one of the busiest and most iconic areas in Las Vegas. Police confirmed that the incident was not a random act of violence but rather a personal dispute that had been escalating online for at least a year.
Suspect Identified in Las Vegas Strip Shooting
Authorities identified the suspect as Manuel D. Ruiz, 41, who turned himself in to law enforcement on Monday morning at a police station outside of Las Vegas. Ruiz now faces two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon and is being held without bail, according to jail records.
Ruiz claimed during his police interview that he was acting in self-defense after allegedly believing one of the victims was reaching for a weapon. However, Las Vegas police reported that no firearms were found on either victim.
The Associated Press reported that Ruiz is being represented by a public defender, who has not yet commented on the case.
Livestream Footage Reveals Harrowing Final Moments
The arrest report revealed chilling details from the YouTube livestream, where the entire Las Vegas Strip shooting was captured on video. Ruiz is seen pulling a handgun from his waistband before firing five to six shots. Shortly afterward, Tanisha Finley grabs the phone used for streaming, and one or two additional shots are heard.
“The phone fell to the ground and remained still for a moment until a police officer appeared in the camera frame and turned off the livestream,” the police report stated.
The couple’s son was one of the first to call 911 after hearing the gunshots live. “I heard gunshots around him,” he said during the call. “I think he might have got shot, so I was just trying to check and make sure, just try to see if he’s OK or where he’s at.”
Suspect Also Livestreamed From Las Vegas Strip
In a surprising twist, Ruiz told police that he, too, operates a YouTube channel and had been livestreaming from the Strip on the night of the shooting. He claimed the incident was provoked by what he interpreted as a threat from the couple.
However, police found no supporting evidence of any weapons in the possession of the Finleys.
Location and Public Safety Concerns
The Las Vegas Strip shooting took place near the famous Bellagio fountains, which attract thousands of visitors nightly with water shows reaching heights of up to 460 feet. The shooting has reignited concerns about public safety in tourist-heavy areas, especially in the age of real-time content sharing.
The fountains, which perform every 15 minutes on weekend evenings, were in operation at the time of the shooting, adding to the surreal and chaotic nature of the event.
Broader Implications of Social Media and Violence
This incident raises critical questions about the intersection of social media, public safety, and gun violence. With both parties reportedly engaged in online feuding and live content creation, authorities are now examining whether digital disputes are spilling into real-world violence more frequently.
The investigation remains ongoing as Las Vegas police continue to review livestream content, witness accounts, and digital histories connected to both parties.
