The 1961 musical, West Side Story is an update of Romeo and Juliet. In the film, who kills the character Riff?

The film West Side Story (1961) is a story about members of two rival gangs. It is about a fight set to music between an American gang, the Jets, and the another gang, the Sharks, who have moved into the Jets' territory from Puerto Rico.

In the film we are introduced to the leader of the Jets, Riff (Russ Tamblyn), and the leader of the Sharks, Bernardo (George Chakiris). During the film, a major fight will erupt between the gangs. It comes after a musical montage showing everyone's respective feelings. While the gangs are trying to get ready in case they have to fight (rumble), Tony and Maria (Natalie Wood) are looking forward to seeing each other, although one is a Jet and the other is a Shark.

When a fight is about to start, it is between Bernardo and Ice (Tucker Smith), Riff's second in command. Tony soon appears. When he tries to stop the fight, Bernardo attacks him. When Tony does not retaliate, the Sharks mock him. Unable to stand by and watch, Riff punches Bernardo, trying to defend Tony.

The two gang leaders draw their switchblades ("The Rumble"). Tony tries to stop Riff, but Ice and Tiger hold him back. During the fight, Bernardo kills Riff. The gangs are stunned and Tony, enraged at the murder picks up Riff's blade and stabs Bernardo, killing him. This sets off a free-for-all amidst the gangs. As police get to the scene, everybody takes off, leaving behind the bodies of Riff and Bernardo.