Robert Wayne Lee, also known as Boopac Shakur, a man who gained a sizable social media following by posing as a child online to lure out alleged sexual predators, was shot to death during a confrontation at a restaurant in Pontiac, Michigan. Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, have been arrested in connection with the killing.
Lee and his friends would pretend to be a 15-year-old girl, engage with adults suspected of being interested in sexually abusing the child, and arrange in-person meetings. He would record videos of the online conversations and subsequent confrontations, posting them on Facebook and Instagram, where he had tens of thousands of followers.
On Friday night, Lee met the two teenagers at a restaurant in Pontiac. He accused one of them of being a pedophile and punched him, leading the younger teen to pull out a gun and the older one to arm himself with a knife. The 17-year-old shot Lee multiple times before both teens fled the scene. Lee was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office arrested the two teenagers on Saturday afternoon. Their names have not been released as the case is being prepared for possible criminal charges.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard acknowledged that Lee’s efforts had led to several arrests and criminal charges against alleged predators. However, he cautioned that well-intentioned individuals engaging in such activities often underestimate the potential for violence and may mistakenly identify someone as a sexual predator.
Lee’s videos had garnered attention and support, leading to a GoFundMe campaign raising over $7,200 for his family. Tributes and condolences flooded his Boopac Shakur social media pages, with some followers questioning the official account of the deadly shooting.
The case draws parallels to the controversial show “To Catch a Predator,” which inspired Lee. The show faced criticism for potential evidence tainting and a lawsuit from the sister of a man who died by suicide after being exposed on the program.
The investigation into Lee’s killing is ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed any further details at this time.
