“`html
LAS VEGAS, NV – Manuel Ruiz, a Las Vegas-based YouTuber known as “sin City Manny,” faces the death penalty in connection with the june 8th shooting deaths of Rodney and Tanisha Finley near the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, according to court filings released today.
YouTuber Manuel “Sin City Manny” Ruiz photographed in a Las Vegas courthouse on July 17, 2025. (Scripps News Las Vegas)
Ruiz, 33, is charged with two counts of murder with a deadly weapon for the deaths of Rodney Finley, 35, and Tanisha Finley, 34, of North Las Vegas. The shooting occurred during a livestream broadcast near the Bellagio fountains on the Las Vegas Strip at approximately 1:30 PM PDT. The incident was witnessed by numerous bystanders and viewers of the livestream.
prosecutors are seeking capital punishment, citing two aggravating factors under Nevada law: multiple murders and the creation of a “great risk of death” to others. Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 200.035 outlines the criteria for capital punishment, requiring prosecutors to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt the presence of at least one aggravating factor.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) inquiry revealed the shooting stemmed from a long-running online dispute between Ruiz and the Finleys, both content creators who operated a YouTube channel called “Righteous Riders.” The feud reportedly involved accusations of harassment and threats exchanged on social media platforms.
Ruiz surrendered to authorities at the Henderson Police Department on june 9th, claiming self-defense.He is currently held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for august 22, 2025, at the Regional Justice Center in Las vegas.
Background: Livestreaming and Legal Ramifications
The case highlights the increasing intersection of social media, content creation, and criminal activity. Livestreaming platforms have become popular venues for public confrontations, and the recording of such events can serve as crucial evidence in criminal investigations. Legal experts note that the public nature of the shooting, captured on livestream, presents unique challenges and opportunities for prosecutors and defense attorneys.
