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By Jackie Valley (contact) 
Published Wednesday, July 6, 2011 | 6:57 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, July 6, 2011 | 2:58 p.m.
Benjamin Gerard Hawkins
Map of O'Sheas
O'Sheas
3555 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas
Strip Murder
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KSNV coverage of another murder on the Las Vegas Strip, July 6, 2011
A fatal punch early Wednesday at O’Sheas on the Strip occurred after race-related comments were made in the casino’s restroom, according to a police report.
Metro Police arrested Benjamin Gerard Hawkins, 37, of Gainesville, Fla., in the death of a Utah tourist on the casino floor at O’Sheas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Police responded at 12:46 a.m. to reports of a person unconscious and not breathing.
The victim, identified in the police report as John Massie, was taken to Desert Springs Hospital, where he later died.
According to the report, Hawkins and Massie were inside the ground-floor restroom at the casino when “Massie made some comment to Hawkins to the effect of ‘a black man in a yellow shirt.’ ”
Hawkins told Massie to “shut up,” then Massie walked out of the restroom as Hawkins walked behind him, the report said. Authorities said their actions were captured on casino surveillance after they left the restroom.
Massie is seen in front of the Burger King at O’Sheas with his hands in his pockets saying something to Hawkins. Hawkins then said something to Massie, police said, then turned his back on him as if to walk away.
“Hawkins then turned very quickly and threw a right-hand punch, striking Massie on his left cheek/jaw,” the report said.
In the video, Massie is not seen moving after the punch. He was pronounced dead at 1:08 a.m. Wednesday at the hospital.
“One punch to the side of the face and he was out,” Metro homicide Lt. Lew Roberts told the Associated Press. “Never got back up.”
During a police interview, Hawkins told detectives Massie made racial comments in the men’s room.
“The only thing Hawkins could recall was that Massie had said ‘black guy something,’ ” the police report said. “Hawkins said Massie said something to the effect of ‘what are you going to do about it’ and Hawkins interpreted his actions as aggressive.”
Hawkins told police he feared Massie would punch him in the back of the head if he turned around, so he punched Massie.
Hawkins was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and charged with murder. He is being held without bail and his first court appearance is scheduled Thursday, according to jail records.
Gary Thompson, spokesman for Caesars Entertainment, which owns O’Sheas, declined to comment on the death.
Massie's death marks the third homicide in two weeks on the Strip.
Andres Armando Elena, 21, of Las Vegas, died from a stab wound to the chest June 25 on the pedestrian walkway between New York-New York and MGM. Police arrested 25-year-old Victor Quijano in connection with Elena's death.
On Monday, a man was stabbed to death outside the Cosmopolitan during a fight. Pedro Carlos Robledo, 28, was arrested in the the death of Javier Medrano Padilla.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
According to LVRJ, this one sounds like a fight between 2 tourists, probably alcohol fueled.
While different circumstances than the last couple strip homicides, the timing just "piles-on" an already nasty sore.
Here's a new slogan to go along with the blanket invitation to Gays, "Come to Vegas and Get Stabed to Death."
New slogan for the LVVCA
"What happens in Vegas could kill you."
not good for business...
maybe we need some enhanced interrogation technics!!!
Michael...
STABBED.
How's that DADT deal coming along?
wow 3 deaths in two weeks, maybe it's time to change my vacation plans.
Greg: I'm trying to get my gay friends to see the error of their ways, but its an uphill battle.
Sounds like a turf war amongst the hooker-card flipping mafia?
Anyone query Mayor OG on this? I mean he is all-things organized crime!
Not to sound racist when I say this... But anyone else notice the mexican theme to all the killings? Could it be the gangs from L.A. spilling over?
@GoBruins - Were you a member of the Casey Anthony jury? Mexican theme? A Utah tourist and a Florida tourist fighting at an Irish themed casino has a MEXICAN THEME? Are you retarded?
And no, the guy stabbed to death on the NYNY flyover wasn't a LA gang banger. He was a local kid who went to high school here. Not a vato loco.
This article seemed confusing it started out in one paragraph describing the incident as a beating, That itself suggest multiple punches, Then in the next paragraph it is described as a slaying, Then it continues into another paragraph that it was a single punch that killed the guy. Please clarify this for me was it a brawl or a single punch that the man died from.
I was planning to visit in September I may have to reevaluate that.
New slogan - Fly in on an PLANE and Fly out in a BOX.
If someone said there was a "Jew" theme to financial crimes (Madoff, Abramoff, etc.) people would say it WAS racist, but people spew their biggotry agaisnt "Mexicans" and get away with it I guess.
Most murders of abortion clinic doctors are "white," but no one mentions that.
It's funny that it's 2011 and people are still tripping out on the whole race thing. A MURDERER is a MURDERER.. period. White, Latin, Black, Asian... they ALL have them. This mentality is what makes us look like we're in 2011 B.C. not A.D. Oh well.
This doesn't sound the way it was described as a beating or slaying. It sounds like 2 people that didn't get along and a lone blow was thrown. Doesn't sound like he intended to kill him. He probably fell over and hit his head or something like that.
""Anyone query Mayor OG on this? I mean he is all-things organized crime!""
doubledown-deadender:
OG is no longer Mayor of Las Vegas.
I don't know anyone who says they are going to O'Shea's to gamble or eat. Everyone I know goes there to get completely hammered.
38 million people visit vegas strip a year, and 3 murders? That's the safest record in the world. Don't be worried about coming here.
I wonder if alcohol/drugs played any part in this?
I know the story has been updated but earlier it said a Utah man killed a Florida man now it's the opposite. And I have seen some pretty violent punches that could kill in one punch especially if he was blindsided. Not saying that he was.
The next few days will tell the story I hope!
MRRED.... I agree..when the suspect is mexican, you hear all the rants and biggotry about deporting them and what now?! Now Im in no way racist but how come Im not seeing the comments about shipping this guy back to Kenya or Barbados?!Some of you are very small minded.It has nothing to do with race, but more about how people have no value or respect for life itself.I personally beleive Vegas is a safe place.Theses recent incidents have to do with people instigating these altercations themselves.
I love visiting Vegas and I always feel super safe walking down the Strip, any time of the day or night.
I sure hope these recent events are just a blip and not the sign of increasing violence.
How has this not become a national story? Vegas is lucky that the mainstream media hasn't noticed this violence. Bad karma, for sure.
At least Las Vegas has concealed carry, baby!
Beer Pong is a Dangerous Game.
I like the 3 dead out of 38 million visitors. Bet no other cities can boast being this secure.
No matter where you go there is always going to be killings. Really this should not stop people from going to Vegas and having fun just because this also could happen anywhere. It is a little wried how there has been 3 in the last weeks and at first it did make me a little scared to go back but why we love Vegas and it really should not stop us from coming to a wonderful place and get away from the crap here. Know one really know what happened so right now we should not judge anyone or even Las Vegas.
They were playing blackjack at the same table and one guy took the others 6 card which would have given him 21. $5 blackjack mind you. Then, during a shuffle they both go to the mens room where an argument ensues about one taking the others card. Pushing, shoving, punch, dead. End of story.
Put this murderer away for life. It's on video, just show it to the jury. Cased closed.
Much of this hate is fueled by talk radio and FOX.
of the three or four English talk radio stations, all the all the on air people our white, and 68% of them are racist 85% of the time.
Yea he needs to go to jail for a long time.
Fists should be outlawed.
I dont care what he said, no person has a right to punch another person. We have free speech granted to us in the constitution. This guy obviously had no ability to think rationally before he got violent. We cannot act like barbarions because someone says something about our shirt. Murder is the appropriate charge here.
Punch people for comments of complexion and shirt color? He walked out of the restroom first, turning his back in doing so, his hands in his pocket! Sounds like physically aggressive behavior that one needs to fear. Turning away so he lets his guard down, wheel around and blindside him with his hands in his pocket. Murder second degree. A very long time in prison because you felt offended by a strangers taste on your clothing choice
Sucker punch a guy with his hands in his pockets, blame it on race, Jessie, Al and probably the prez will rush to your defense.
Reality check, classic.
Mred,
Yep, it's fueled by Fox and the right isn't it? You're just as blind as they are, just with your pathetic liberal argument. Did you really just use "Jews" for an example against hate? Then you say hate radio and news fuels something that has been around long before the dawn of radio or television. I agree with one point though, people on here with their anti-whatever talk sound like morons. Problem for you is that you're one of them.
People I hardly doubt he will get convicted of 1st or 2nd degree murder.Who is to even say that he died from getting hit in the face.He could have some type of underlying medical condition that ultimately caused his death.Lets wait for the autopsy results to see what really killed him.he could have even died form choking on his own vomit from the alcohol he consumed at the beer pong table!!! But the most im seeing in in/voluntary manslaughter.since he didnt use a deadly weapon as they call it these days he will probably end up on probation.
Accidental manslaughter. 1-3 years max.
The crackerjack says stupid racist comments to someone, and gets hit once, the black guy had no intention of killing him - therefore accidental. Doesn't matter how you look at it.
All comes down to the redneck judge and jury.
...lol...
"How has this not become a national story? Vegas is lucky that the mainstream media hasn't noticed this violence."
It doesn't involve a Kardashian or Lindsay Lohan
"I think just the fact that we have a recent death wave on the strip will gain some attention, but the local media here does a pretty good job at reporting things like this but then letting it quietly die off"
I haven't heard anything about any of these murders on the national news; I also haven't seen any little blurb from the AP in the newspapers about any of these.
Also, the local media can let things die off - or so they think. The AP and other news outlets scan for stories like this but so far - I have seen nothing. Maybe it just wasn't important enough to report on since people are murdered all over the country every day and more than 3 at a time. These stories are nothing compared to every where else.
"I was planning to visit in September I may have to reevaluate that"
Good idea Casinokid I hear that Syria is lovely that time of year!
This does not surprise me. I feel saddened for the family of the Utah guy. There are still people walking around still mad about the slavery thing 146 years ago. It is still live and well and the hatered continues.
One punch. Provocative words? Misdemeanor battery. 6 months sentence. 1000 dollar fine. Let the civil suit sort out the rest. Or we can house this guy for months, spend tens of thousands on his trial and watch the jury acquit him of murder. There's no way the DA can get a conviction for first degree murder here.
Mind your own business and you'll be fine. Walking around at 4am, then yeah people may try and get into your business. Say something stupid to a stranger in a casino restroom then you take your chances. Although death should of never been the outcome. Whatever happened to fighting someone outright instead of doing the sucker punch thing?
Mr. Hawkins does not appear to be intimidated by the mugshot camera. What will his rapsheet reveal?
I've been known to knock a few teeth out with a single punch (okay, I wasn't so peaceful back in my school days) but man, you gotta respect a one-punch kill shot.
I would have to put this in the manslaughter category, not murder.
Also, it is voluntary manslaughter by definition. He meant to cause serious bodily harm by sucker punching the victim. Exchanged words between one another should never end up in a death. He followed the victim out of the bathroom. He will probably receive 10-15 years and be out in 6 depending on his previous criminal history, if any. I'm no lawyer so correct me if I'm wrong.
Sounds like they were both useless idiots to me. One dead, one in jail, hooray for the rest of us, let's move on...
The MMA will sign up Hawkins as soon as he gets out! In addition to landing a one punch kill shot he just landed a new career!
Recently when a white MMA fighter killed a black MMA fighter, because he broke up a fight between the white fighter and his girlfriend NO CHARGES were filed. Lets see if this incident plays out the same way.
@pmmart I was thinking more a long the lines of Biloxi MS.
@TomD1228
I had the same thought at first on account of so many times people get mad at me for taking a hit to improve my hand and they lost, And they feel I was responsible for their loss as if I am supposed to sit there and lose so they came win. Had anyone ever offered me my wager and the win if I don't take a hit No they don't. But yeah I almost bet that is the reason more so than the alleged racial remark. And so what if he did say that that is not justifiable. If it's so offencive then why don't those that are offended trying to stop there own people from using it.
Hawkins should have taken the high road, Massie appeared to have walked away and was persued. Would you agree?
I think he was saying this:
you know what it is
Black and yellow, black and yellow
Black and yellow, black and yellow
This shows what can happen when people can't control their emotions.
I've been at tables where people get pissed at people for taking a card when they should not have and vice versa. What they don't understand is that for everytime they take your card there are just as many times when they don't take a card when they are supposed to and it works to your advantage.
Bottom line. Mind your own business. I rarely get into conversations at the table. A lot of these people have too much to drink, something is said and next thing you know someone is dead. Not sure what transpired between these two before the sucker punch but it's a tragedy. This guy went out to play a little and in a split second he's on a slab at the morgue.
...and the hits just keep on comin'...
But the local media should just let it "die out."
LOL!
Let me ax you somthin. Doesn't it look like Mr Hawkins is posing for the mugshot? Kind of like a school picture.
Condolences, for the families of both parties involved, the death of anyone is a melancholy circumstance for all involved regardless of rationalization.
Massie' "mouth was writing checks his body can't cash". Shut the f-up and everyone will live happily ever after. I don't condone violence, I am a peaceful and God fearing man, but I know of many folks that talk dodo in their little protected ponds, swimming like their untouchable fish. It is a big ocean and not all fish subscribe to your arrogant demeaning racially venomous tongue, especially large inter-racially visited cities, like Vegas "you aren't in Kansas anymore". Sic
I have pointed out many times how folks on these threads stupidly spew bile like geysers without concern it might offend folks, then when they meet another person just as stupid, willing to kick it up a notch, they want to call the life-guard. Not this time, oh the shame, how sad thinking of the loss, the loss of human life and the destruction of another, why, because of poor race relations, brought about by a superiority complex some folks harbor.
We are in the twenty-first century, yet folks retain their parents prejudice teachings, can't we as a nation overcome those old paradigms to truly embrace one another and lift America unto its rightful distinction of accepting diversity.
Maybe because a legal abortion is not considered a murder - thus the doctors - black, white, orange, yellow, purple - whatever - are not murderers at all.
The fact is that we only have one side of what was supposedly said. The other fact is that anyone who sucker punches someone else is a true loser and he needs to do at least 10 years.
I don't understand how someone saying "a black man in a yellow shirt" could be construded as 'racial'and worthy of killing someone over but should the jury decide that it is I will have learned a lifes lesson without running a risk!
Punching a guy with his hands in his pockets is very bad form. I hope Hawkins does enough time to wipe that smile off his face.
@pmmart
It is agreed! Saying, "black man in a yellow shirt" SHOULD NOT be construed as a rascist comment. But, how many of us greet or address strangers by noting their color or ethnicity? If you bumped into a person on the street would you say, "Pardon me, Asian man" or "Excuse me, European or white lady"? No, I don't think you or anyone else would preface a statement or question to someone else by mentioning the person's racial heritage or makeup.
Whenever I greet and/or have an initial encounter with someone, I use the terms "Sir", "Ma'am", young man, young lady (and sometimes "buddy" or "dude"); how awful (and inappropriate) it sounds to say, "Good morning, young Native American man" or "Hi, Latina lady" (oops, I think latina and lady are redundant... both referencing 'female').
In any event, if the precious young man who lost his life had NOT said anything at all (considering the environment and the activity), this would be the most prudent choice. But, since he did speak, he should have never alluded to the man's ethnicity or color... that was MOST INAPPROPRIATE and unnecessary. I am not attempting to justify nor condone Mr. Hawkins conduct - after all, a human life is lost... and for NOTHING!
My prayerful condolence to the Massie family.
It's about time the white guys jumped on the band wagon and started using the race card to get out of jail. The victim said "the white guy in the baseball cap, ect." and I sucker punched him.
@brianD....You need to familiarize yourself with the NRS. This does not meet that criteria of "Voluntary Manslaughter." Which has a 10 year maximum sentence by the way.
At best it is "Involuntary manslaughter" defined in NRS 200.070 as "the killing of a human being, without any intent to do so, in the commission of an unlawful act." No one reasonably assumes that one punch could kill a guy.
Hawkins told police he interpreted Massie's actions as aggressive, and he feared that if he turned his back on Massie, he would be attacked from behind. So I wonder why they even bothered to arrest him. I mean if anyone understands that "interpreting" an action as aggressive is enough to justify killing that would be a Metro Cop, right? Hawkins should have killed him in the bathroom, provided he was displaying truly dangerous behavior. You know like hiding behind the toilet trying to apply chap stick. Perhaps Hawkins thought the guy was about to pull out a basketball. And even if Massie wasn't actually doing anything aggressive, Metro has already determined that the mere assumption that someone may do something deadly in the future is enough to justify deadly force. If a Metro officer had encountered Massie wandering drunk down the Strip and shot him, he wouldn't be held without bail. He would be in the phone with the airlines booking a trip for his newly acquired paid vacation.
This case is getting national attention and our Diminutive DA should reduce the charges and allow bail because over charging may make him FEEL like a big man, but it has yet to actually change his stature.
So a "racist comment" entitles a black to kill the White man who (allegedly) made it? What nonsense! If you will look at the obituaries in the Ogden (Utah) Standard-Examiner, you will find Mr. Massie's. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Gulf War, having earned three Bronze Stars. Numerous people posted comments to his family, telling them what a special friend he was to them and how sad they are at his murder. I know nothing about Hawkins or his life up to that night in the casino, but what he did was the act of a murderous thug. There are no two ways about it.
murderous thug? one punch? did u make that statement because Hawkins is black? there have been many one punch fights where someone died. many of u are making assumptions without knowing all the facts no need to share ur ignorance.