Instagram Beef Ignites Street Confrontation (Image Credits: 8newsnow.com)
North Las Vegas – A dispute ignited on Instagram between a Legacy High School student and another individual spiraled into a fatal shooting at a nearby apartment complex.[1][2]
Instagram Beef Ignites Street Confrontation
A 10th-grade student at Legacy High School received a direct message on Instagram challenging him to fight over a disparaging social media post. The pair agreed to settle the matter at a grassy field inside the Rome Pines Family Apartments at 325 E. Rome Blvd. The student emerged victorious from the physical altercation, which heightened tensions among those present.[1]
Shortly after, the student and several companions, including 21-year-old Tazzion Benard Jr., left the area in a silver Volkswagen Jetta. Witnesses later described the atmosphere as charged, with the losing side expressing dissatisfaction over the outcome. Police reports indicate the initial fight set the stage for what followed, drawing in adults connected to the participants.[2]
Black BMW Blocks Path, Gunfire Erupts
A black BMW 4-series with distinctive red rims accelerated to cut off the Jetta as it navigated the complex. The driver, later identified as 32-year-old Deshawn Pitts, exited the vehicle and unleashed a barrage of gunfire toward the silver car. The Jetta veered out of control, crashing into a wall on the sidewalk.[1]
Officers arrived to find Benard unresponsive in the driver’s seat, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 1:35 p.m. on February 18. Investigators recovered 21 spent 9mm cartridge casings scattered nearby, underscoring the intensity of the attack.[2]
Police Track Suspect Through Evasive Maneuvers
North Las Vegas police quickly zeroed in on the BMW using DMV records, witness accounts, and surveillance footage capturing it fleeing at 1:32 p.m. A search warrant turned up a Glock 43 pistol and 9mm ammunition in the glove compartment. Pitts had swapped the vehicle with his girlfriend at a nearby Smith’s grocery store and relocated it through a wash to another street in an apparent bid to dodge detection.[1]
Authorities described the actions as a “classic evasive tactic used to distance a suspect from a vehicle involved in a violent crime.”[1] Pitts later contacted an associate, remarking that the earlier fight was “not fair” and that “they were owed one.” He faces charges of open murder with a deadly weapon and attempted murder with a deadly weapon. Officers took him into custody following a traffic stop.[2]
Pitts told investigators he drove to the complex after hearing about the fight, concerned it might involve his middle school-aged son. He invoked his right to an attorney before providing further details.
Timeline of Events Unfolds Rapidly
The sequence from challenge to chaos happened swiftly on February 18:
- Instagram message challenges Legacy High student to fight over a post.
- Fight occurs at grassy field in Rome Pines Apartments; student wins.
- Group departs in silver Jetta, pursued by black BMW.
- Pitts allegedly fires shots, causing crash and Benard’s death.
- Police locate BMW, arrest Pitts days later.
School Community Grapples with Fallout
Legacy High School Principal Belinda Marentic sent an email to parents notifying them of the incident’s connection to a student. The 10th-grader involved spoke with detectives as part of the probe. No injuries were reported from the school grounds themselves, but the proximity raised alarms in the neighborhood.[1]
Officials continue to investigate potential gang ties, given input from a Metropolitan Police Department gang unit officer who helped locate the suspect vehicle. Pitts remains in custody ahead of his court appearance on Tuesday.[2]
Key Takeaways
- A teen fistfight escalated when adults intervened with gunfire, claiming one life.
- Police linked the suspect through vehicle details and post-incident behavior.
- Social media disputes demand caution to prevent real-world violence.
This tragedy highlights the perils of online conflicts spilling into deadly confrontations. As the investigation proceeds, residents and school officials urge vigilance against such escalations. What steps can communities take to curb social media-fueled violence? Share your thoughts in the comments.
