Las Vegas Strip Double Shooting: Livestreamed Tragedy Sparks Debate Over Self-Defense
On Sunday night, June 8, 2025, a deadly shooting unfolded on the Las Vegas Strip, leaving two people dead and a city shaken. The incident, which was partially captured in a livestream, occurred near the iconic Bellagio fountains and involved a feud between rival YouTubers. Manuel “Manny” Ruiz, a 41-year-old Las Vegas-based content creator known online as “SinCity-Manny,” is now facing two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon for the deaths of Rodney Finley and his wife, Tanisha Finley.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and an arrest report released on Tuesday, Ruiz told investigators he acted in self-defense. The arrest report reveals that Ruiz claimed he feared for his life when he encountered the couple. He alleged that Finley made a sudden movement toward his waistband and said, “What’s up, cuz?”—a gesture Ruiz interpreted as a possible attempt to draw a weapon. Ruiz also told police that he saw a shiny, black object in Tanisha’s hand and believed she might also be armed. In response, he opened fire.
However, the police report and surveillance evidence appear to undercut Ruiz’s self-defense claim. According to investigators, no weapons were found on either of the victims. Moreover, video footage reportedly shows Ruiz advancing toward the couple while firing, rather than retreating or being confronted. Authorities state that this behavior contradicts the claim that he was reacting defensively.
The victims, 44-year-old Rodney “Finny Da Legend” Finley and 43-year-old Tanisha “Bubbly” Finley, were popular in the YouTube IRL (in-real-life) streaming scene. Their livestream captured the moments before the shooting, including a brief confrontation with Ruiz, though the shooting itself was not shown on camera. Witnesses at the scene described chaos and confusion as shots rang out in the middle of the bustling tourist area.
The tragedy was the culmination of a long-standing rivalry between Ruiz and the Finleys. The feud reportedly began in late 2023, escalating over time through online videos, accusations of harassment, and copyright strikes. In one prior incident, Tanisha Finley claimed that Ruiz had pepper-sprayed her during a confrontation on Fremont Street, which Ruiz later denied. The digital feud, like many others in the live-streaming world, appeared to blur the line between online entertainment and real-life hostility.
Ruiz fled the scene immediately after the shooting, according to police, and was captured on hotel surveillance footage discarding clothing and hiding a firearm. He later turned himself in at a Henderson police station early Monday morning, bringing the weapon with him. Forensic analysis confirmed that the 9mm handgun he surrendered matched the shell casings recovered at the scene.
In a court appearance on Tuesday, Ruiz was denied bail and ordered to remain in custody at the Clark County Detention Center. He is expected to appear in court again on Thursday, June 12, for a bail review hearing. Prosecutors are pursuing charges of open murder, which allows for a range of charges—from second-degree murder to first-degree murder with special circumstances—depending on how the case unfolds.
The case has quickly gained national and even international attention, not only because of its dramatic and tragic nature but because of the broader implications it raises. In an era where livestreaming can make private feuds into public spectacles, and where viewers may encourage escalating conflict for entertainment, the incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of content creators, the role of digital platforms, and the limits of self-defense laws.
Nevada law allows for the use of deadly force in self-defense if the person reasonably believes they are in imminent danger of being killed or seriously harmed. However, prosecutors are likely to argue that Ruiz’s actions—approaching the couple and firing while advancing—do not meet that threshold, especially since no weapons were recovered and the victims were reportedly not acting aggressively.
Meanwhile, the YouTube and livestreaming communities have been left reeling. Friends and fans of the Finleys have flooded social media with tributes, calling them vibrant, charismatic, and devoted to entertaining their followers. They have also expressed outrage and heartbreak over the violence that took their lives.
As the legal proceedings continue, the public is left to grapple with the dark side of online fame. What began as a virtual rivalry ended in real-world bloodshed. Ruiz’s self-defense claim will be scrutinized in court, but for now, the facts suggest a tragic and unnecessary escalation of a conflict that might have been resolved with words instead of bullets.
In a city known for spectacle, the Las Vegas Strip witnessed a chilling new kind—one that unfolded not on stage or screen, but in reality, and with irreversible consequences.
