Scott Dennis, a 60-year-old Nevada resident, was beaten to death at a Las Vegas food bank after stepping in to defend his girlfriend during a dispute over cigarettes. The incident took place on July 9, around 6.19 a.m. in the 900 block of E. Sahara Avenue, near Maryland Parkway.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Dennis and his girlfriend were waiting in line for the food bank to open when an unidentified man approached her and asked for a cigarette. When she told him she did not have any and didn’t smoke, the man reportedly began “insulting and talking badly” to her.

Dennis stepped in to protect his girlfriend, leading to a physical altercation. According to police, the unidentified man initiated the fight after throwing “something” at Dennis and swinging at him.

Surveillance footage shows a second man, identified as Shiloh Leutu, 38, arriving at the food bank about 30 minutes before Dennis and his girlfriend and then joining in the fight. The unidentified man grabbed Dennis by the arm and dragged him by his leg, while Leutu punched his head and abdomen multiple times as he tried to get up. They fled the scene before officers arrived.

Police said in a statement, “A male approached the friend and started yelling at her. The victim stepped in, and the male struck him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. A second male jumped in, and the two continued to beat the victim until the crowd could stop them.”

Dennis was rushed to Sunrise Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Clark County Coroner’s Office has said the assault might have triggered a heart attack and said further analysis was needed to determine the exact cause of death.

Leutu was arrested by police about a week after the attack, on July 15. According to multiple reports, Leutu tried to characterize Dennis as the aggressor while in police custody. He claimed that Dennis put him and his companion in a headlock, and the ensuing altercation was to break up the fight. However, police also reviewed surveillance footage, which directly contradicted this account.

Leutu was initially booked on suspicion of murder, which was later paused while the autopsy remained pending. Prosecutors may reinstate the murder charge depending on the official findings. Leutu’s attorneys have argued at his bail hearing that the case relies heavily on hearsay and no surveillance footage exists. Bail for him has been set, though the exact amount could not be independently confirmed.

His next court date is expected in August, when the murder charge could be reinstated if the autopsy supports it.

Disclaimer: Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available.