Man Sentenced to Life for Killing Rapper

A Southern California man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the 2020 shooting death of Bay Area rapper Melota Lasi, known as "Cutty Banks." Isaiah Tone Repuena, 37, of Torrance, received the maximum sentence following his conviction on multiple charges, including first-degree murder with special circumstances. The sentencing took place on Friday, where Lasi's family members delivered emotional victim impact statements, highlighting the profound loss they experienced. The shooting occurred on December 19, 2020, in the parking lot of a Wells Fargo Bank at the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo. Prosecutors described the incident as an ambush, asserting that Lasi was targeted due to a prior road rage incident that resulted in the death of Repuena's brother, Lewis. Misguided by her own investigation, Lewis's girlfriend, Amanda Young, mistakenly believed Lasi was involved in her partner's death, prompting the fatal attack. Surveillance footage linked a Mercedes-Benz to the shooting, leading to the arrests of Repuena and Young. Repuena was apprehended in Oklahoma on April 1, 2021, while Young was arrested shortly after in Southern California. The investigation revealed that Lasi had no connection to the earlier shooting that claimed Lewis Repuena's life. Young's case remains unresolved, with her next court hearing scheduled for October 2. She is currently held at the San Mateo County Jail as the legal proceedings continue.