Image source: KTNV-TV video screenshot
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
He offers homeless man $6 to do backflip, streams it on Facebook, then laughs when homeless man — who dies of spinal injury — lands on his neck
July 17, 2020
What is happening to us?
Las Vegas police said Larry Coner — a 55-year-old homeless man — approached 28-year-old Keonte Jones for money last month, KTNV-TV reported.
Coner was known by his family to be mentally ill and to panhandle, KSNV-TV said.
Cops said Jones told Coner he was willing to give him $6 — if Coner performed a backflip, KTNV said.
Image source: KTNV-TV video screenshot
So Jones set up a Facebook livestream of Coner attempting the stunt, KTNV reported.
Then as video was broadcast, Coner landed on his neck, the station said.
What happened next?
Police said a group of bystanders looked on and laughed while Coner remained on the ground, KTNV reported.
Image source: KTNV-TV video screenshot
And Jones can be heard laughing while filming Coner for almost 10 minutes and telling others not to call medical personnel, police added to the station.
Image source: KTNV-TV video screenshot
Medical teams eventually arrived and took Coner to a hospital with a severe spinal injury, KNLV said, adding that he died June 30 as a result of the injury.
Police told the station that the incident was brought to their attention by a family member of Coner after which detectives immediately initiated an investigation.
The victim's sister told KSNV that Coner was a father, and his family loved him.
"How can you not have human compassion and compassion for another human being?" she asked the station.
Coner's family set up a GoFundMe page for those who would like to help with his funeral expenses, KSNV said.
What happened to the laughing videographer?
Jones was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center July 14 for felony willful disregard of a person's safety, KTNV reported.
Keonte JonesImage source: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Police also shared a link to the video of the incident (viewer discretion advised) that was posted to social media, the station said.
What did a psychotherapist have to say?
"I'm hopeful that the severity of what this is will hit people when it comes to these types of posts on social media," psychotherapist Merin Baron told KTNV. "Think twice about what your clicking, liking, sharing, and representing when it comes to this type of behavior."
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
Sr. Editor, News
Dave Urbanski is a senior editor for Blaze News.
DaveVUrbanski
more stories
Sign up for the Blaze newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.