Robert Wayne Lee, 40, aka “Boopac Shakur”. File Picture
A social media influencer identified for exposing alleged baby sexual predators in his movies on-line was allegedly shot lifeless by two youngsters following a confrontation bid inside a Michigan restaurant.
Robert Wayne Lee, 40, aka “Boopac Shakur” reportedly carried out covert investigations by posing a 15-year-old woman to entice paedophiles into conferences.
In accordance with reviews, Lee had over 50,000 followers on-line and prior to now few years, he had uncovered over 132 such suspects. He was even warned by police to not become involved in such probes over considerations that he might additionally hurt himself.
Within the latest incident, which led to his premature loss of life, Lee approached two younger males at a restaurant and accused certainly one of them of being a paedophile.
He additionally punched him which prompted the person to tug out a knife, officers mentioned. Amid the scuffle, the opposite man allegedly pulled out a pistol and shot Lee a number of occasions, legislation enforcement officers revealed.
Following the taking pictures, the duo fled the scene whereas Lee was taken to a hospital, the place he pronounced lifeless at arrival.
The youngsters, one aged 17 and the opposite 18, had been later arrested however their identities had been withheld by police. The sheriff’s workplace mentioned investigators consider the 17-year-old was the shooter.
Followers and mates flooded Lee’s Fb web page after his loss of life. Though a few of his encounters led to arrests, native officers mentioned his practices put himself and others in danger.
Studies reveal that quite a lot of individuals together with Lee drew his inspiration from an NBC present ‘How To Catch a Predator’, which ran from 2004 to 2008. The present, nonetheless, had ended after one of many targets killed himself.
However, the idea, nonetheless, turned an increasing number of standard on the web, additionally as a result of individuals had been simply being launched to social media and its peculiarities.
Consequently, many like lee employed the modus operandi of the present to grow to be standard in the local people and social media.
As per cops, they by no means welcomed the suo-moto motion of the general public and ensured well timed warnings towards this specific sort of activism.
As per a Washington Submit report, a latest uptick within the follow has been fuelled by right-wing rhetoric about individuals grooming kids and the necessity to “save the children”.
It comes with threat. Predator catchers have caught these that means to hurt kids, however some have additionally been shot or ruined the lives of harmless individuals.
Lee was simply certainly one of many whom police urged to cease looking paedophiles on-line.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard advised The Oakland Press in January that Lee meant and did nicely – Bouchard mentioned Lee’s movies had led to 4 arrests – however the sheriff suggested towards the follow as a result of it might spoil a prosecution and “most importantly it can be dangerous”.
Considered one of Lee’s profitable targets was an Oakland County sheriff’s deputy working within the county jail, in response to the reviews. The deputy was charged with one depend of accosting a toddler for immoral functions.
After Lee’s loss of life, Bouchard maintained his stance that the actions had been, on steadiness, not useful.
“While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well intentioned individuals who engaged in this don’t know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence confronting a suspected predator,” Bouchard mentioned.