LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas police arrested a man after a stunt filmed on social media turned deadly.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said 28-year-old Keonte Jones set up a livestream on June 20 in the 700 block of West Owens Avenue, near H street, that involved a homeless man performing a backflip for $6.
Larry Coner, 55, attempted the backflip but landed on his neck. A group of bystanders looked on and laughed, according to police, while Coner remained on the ground.
Authorities say Connor first approached Jones and asked him for money before the dangerous $6 stunt was offered.
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As the incident went live on Facebook, Jones can be heard laughing while filming Coner for almost 10 minutes and telling others not to call medical personnel, according to LVMPD.
Medical teams eventually responded, and Coner was transported to the University Medical Center with a severe spinal injury. He then passed on June 30 as a result of the njury.
Officers say the incident was brought to their attention by a family member of Coner and detectives from the Bolden Area Command immediately initiated an investigation.
Jones was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on July 14 for felony willful disregard of a person’s safety.
Police also shared a link to the video (viewer discretion advised) that was shared on social media of the incident.
“I’m hopeful that the severity of what this is will hit people when it comes to these types of posts on social media," said psychotherapist Mendi Baron. "Think twice about what your clicking, liking, sharing, and representing when it comes to this type of behavior.”
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555
