Houston, Texas – A recent incident initially reported as a robbery turned homicide has now been revealed as a staged event. Court documents show that 22-year-old Rasshauud Scott was collaborating with William X Winfrey to carry out a fake robbery, with two alleged victims in on the scheme. The bystander, Jesus Vargas, who shot and killed Scott, was unaware of the fake nature of the robbery.
The scheme was orchestrated by Winfrey, who instructed Scott to stage the robbery in exchange for monetary reward. The victims were reportedly involved in order to file for U-Visas, which are granted to victims of certain crimes to assist law enforcement in solving cases. The U-Visa provides temporary immigration status, work authorization, eligibility for family members, and potential for lawful permanent resident status.
Telegram messages between Scott and Winfrey revealed their coordination of the staged robbery. It was disclosed that this was not the first time they had staged such an incident, having previously executed similar schemes. One such previous robbery resulted in the submission for U-Visas, indicating a pattern of fraudulent behavior.
Winfrey has been charged with murder in connection to Scott’s death. Meanwhile, Scott’s fiance, Sade Beverly, expressed grief over the loss and emphasized that Scott deserved to face consequences for his actions through legal proceedings. Beverly also called for accountability for Vargas, the shooter, voicing concerns over lax gun laws and the ease with which firearms can lead to fatal outcomes.
The case involving Vargas has been referred to a grand jury for further deliberation. It remains unclear whether the individuals posing as victims in the staged robbery will face charges. Beverly underscored the importance of gun law reform, highlighting the devastating impact of firearms misuse. She urged for a shift in societal attitudes towards violence and emphasized the need for accountability in cases involving firearms.