(NewsNation) — A video content creator accused of fatally shooting a rival YouTuber outside the Las Vegas Bellagio Fountains in early June now faces the death penalty, NewsNation local affiliate KLAS confirmed.
Manuel “Manny” Ruiz, 41, who goes by “Sin City Manny,” allegedly shot and killed Rodney Finley, 44, known as “Finny Da Legend,” and his wife, Tanisha Finley, 43, on June 8, which was livestreamed online.
In court two weeks ago, Ruiz said he was innocent, but prosecutors will seek the death penalty if a jury returns a guilty verdict.
Both men created YouTube videos, each with thousands of followers. Ruiz’s account appears to no longer be up. Gunshots and a woman yelling, “Are you kidding me?” was recorded on camera during the shooting.
Officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the scene near the Bellagio hotel-casino, a popular tourist area, close to 11 p.m. and found two people suffering from gunshot wounds who were later pronounced dead.
“It is believed that the suspect and the victims knew each other and had previously engaged in conflict over social media prior to the shooting,” an LVMPD news release said at the time.
Ruiz has been charged with two counts of murder with the use of a deadly weapon. His next court appearance is expected Monday.