Police: Fatal Gas Station Robbery Staged In Visa Scheme

Investigators now believe that a January Texas gas station robbery during which a bystander shot and killed the suspect was staged. The intent, according to Houston police, was to secure temporary immigration status for the “victim.”

According to Fox News Digital, court documents allege 22-year-old Rasshauud Scott collaborated in the scheme with an individual named William Winfrey. 

This conclusion was based on Telegram messages investigators discovered between the pair. The plan for Scott to pretend to commit the “robberies” and for the “victims” to then request U-Visas.

Immigrant victims of specific crimes in the U.S. are eligible for “U Nonimmigrant Status.” They must have suffered physical or mental trauma and be cooperative with authorities investigating the alleged criminal activity.

According to Houston police, this was not the first time Scott and Winfrey faked robberies. The incidents date back to last year with the most recent coming the night before Scott was killed by an armed bystander who intervened.

Visa fraud scheme: Purported robbery victim denies crime was staged to get U-visa at a northwest Houston gas station robbery – KTRK-TV https://t.co/YSPutGMUEX

— Houston Texas (@HoustonTexxa) April 7, 2024

Winfrey now faces felony murder charges and is scheduled to appear in court this week.

It was Jan. 27 when Scott pretended to rob two “victims” at a Swift gas station. A bystander, later identified as Jesus Vargas, intervened and allegedly shot and killed the fake assailant.

Vargas left the scene after the shooting because he violated his parole by having a firearm. 

Scott’s former fiance, Sade Beverly, told FOX 26 that she did not excuse his behavior but blamed gun laws for his death. “They need to change. I don’t see how people are able to say it’s okay to take somebody’s life. It’s never OK.”

One of the victims denied to local media that he was part of a setup but confirmed that he applied for the U-visa after the “attack.”

Investigators rejected the denial and said the tragic hoax was part of a sweeping scheme involving immigration and insurance fraud. Several suspects are connected to the operation, including store clerks supposedly victimized by the criminal activity.

There are several other incidents in the Houston area that are believed to have been staged for visa purposes..