AP/ July 6, 2011, 5:31 PM

Man killed by one punch in Vegas casino brawl

Benjamin G. Hawkins of Gainesville, Fla., who was arrested on a murder charge in a fatal one-punch fight that left a Utah man dead inside a Las Vegas Strip casino. / AP Photo/Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

LAS VEGAS — A tourist from Florida was jailed on a murder charge Wednesday in the death of a Utah man who died after a one-punch fight between two tourists inside a Las Vegas Strip casino.

Benjamin G. Hawkins, 37, of Gainesville, Fla., was arrested shortly after the 12:45 a.m. Wednesday slaying. It followed an exchange of words in a restroom at O'Sheas Las Vegas Casino, police homicide Lt. Lewis Roberts said.

It wasn't clear which man was the aggressor before the Utah man was felled by a single punch to the face.

"We've got conflicting stories. Nothing definitive," Roberts said. He said detectives were questioning casino witnesses and reviewing surveillance videotapes to determine what sparked the fatal scuffle.

O'Sheas, owned by Caesars Entertainment Corp., is an Irish-themed casino set between the Harrah's and Flamingo resorts and across busy Las Vegas Boulevard from the company's flagship, Caesars Palace. It offers a rollicking atmosphere and attractions including a Viper Vixens stage show, a resident psychic and beer pong competitions to lure pedestrians inside.

Roberts said the two men didn't know each other before they exchanged words. The fatal punch was thrown when the two men squared off in a lobby area.

The Clark County coroner didn't immediately make the Utah man's identity public. Roberts said he was taken to Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, where he was pronounced dead.

"One punch to the side of the face and he was out," Roberts said of the dead man. "Never got back up."

Caesars Entertainment spokesman Gary Thompson declined to comment about the slaying and referred questions to police.

Hawkins was being held at the Clark County jail pending a Thursday court appearance in Las Vegas. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

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vjoharmon says:: The majority of you people act like you were there and you seen the whole thing, quit being so ignorant and quit talking like a damn thug. The guy looks like a damn boxer to me, no one knows what happened but those two. Two idiots who couldn't walk away from a fight, one dead and now one going to be in prison for his stupidity.; reply

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Anonononon says:: Im a semi-racist white person - but when I talk **** Im ready for the consequences. The guy who started talking should've been able to back it up. Basically, HE DESERVES WHAT HE GOT. Free Benjamin Hawkins on self defense!; reply

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coontruth says:

what is it with blak folks and sucker punches? lesson is never let your guard down or turn you back on them!!!!!


Anonononon replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; I agree for the most part...but quit being a little bi.tch, work out, learn to fight, and back up your shi-t talking like a real man.

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coontruth says:: the sucker punch, classic TNB!!!; reply

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coontruth says:: "i dun wents to las vegas ana all i gots was dis orange jumpsuit, unowutimsayen"?; reply

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DrZm says:

Hawkins needs to be held accountable. But also, this is what we get when we raise boys in the U.S. to think they have to prove their manhood and solve problems with aggression. Way to go, man.


coontruth replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; the murder victim had his hands in his pockets, doesn't seem like aggressive behavior to me


Anonononon replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; The murder victim was also a little Bi.tch who thought he could talk shi.t without consequence. He shouldve manned up!

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olbabee says:

Not murder, not really anything but bad luck. They squared off,
he got hit in that one sweet spot & that was it. Lights out.
Just a terrible accident & that's all.


DrZm replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Let's not minimize: This was more than just an accident and bad luck. Massie had his hands in his pockets and clearly wasn't a physical threat to Hawkins. Hawkins turned around and sucker punched him and took his life. His actions weren't an accident even if the consequences were, though I agree it is pretty terrible. Hawkins was also a high school football coach. Good thing he didn't unleash his anger problems on some kid. But the lives of at least two families are now ruined. Violence sucks.


coontruth replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; "they squared off.." are you on drugs????? how does having your hands in your pockets constitute "squaring off"? accident? sucker punching someone is not an accident

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jreese7 says:

Find this guy a manager and get him in the ring!


DrZm replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; That comment only seems funny if you don't have empathy for those who just lost a loved one or if your life hasn't been affected by violence. This guy isn't a hero. He made a bad decision based on fear or anger. Let's hope we can man up to that, whether or not he can.

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IrisBoy says:: I just finished watching Blazing Saddles and at the last 10 minutes there are some good clues as to what was "the Mirage" that might have prompted this outlandish outcome. The part where the punches begin at Rock Ridge." For tourists this is The End of the film, but for US it's only The Beginning!" ;-); reply

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IrisBoy says:

It gives new meaning to the term "Luck of the Irish"


DrZm replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; IrishBoy, let's hope you and your family are never affected by such "luck" so you never feel the pain such callous remarks can inflict.