YouTuber Shot After Making an attempt To Prank Man In A Mall

A YouTuber was shot within the abdomen on April 2 in a Virginia mall after trying to play what he known as a “easy sensible joke” on a person.

Tanner Cook dinner is a member of the Categorized Goons, a bunch that has been posting prank movies on YouTube since Might 2022. Often known as “simply a few ‘bone heads,’” in line with the group’s YouTube channel description, these pranksters have racked up tens of millions of views throughout TikTok and YouTube for his or her usually foolish and childish jokes. One of many group’s most watched movies options widespread streamer JiDion, wherein he and one of many Goons stroll by means of shops snitching on the cameraperson filming random folks in a bombastic option to begin drama. One other video reveals a Goon member telling dealerships that one of many automobiles being offered on the lot is definitely their stolen automotive. , very highschool, early-to-mid 2010s YouTube-era stuff. Nothing too heinous or egregious. Nonetheless, a latest sensible joke try went awry and resulted in unlucky (and unwarranted) violence this week.

YouTuber Tanner Cook dinner shot, arrest made

In response to information station WUSA9, Cook dinner was shot within the abdomen and liver whereas recording a Categorized Goons video contained in the Dulles City Middle Mall in Sterling, Virginia. The suspected shooter, 31-year-old Alan W. Colie, was arrested and charged with aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm within the fee of a felony, and discharging a firearm inside a constructing. An investigation continues to be underway, whereas Cook dinner had surgical procedure for the incident. He instructed WUSA9 that Colie didn’t say something. He simply pulled out a gun and shot Cook dinner.

“I’m wonderful,” Cook dinner instructed WUSA9 in an unique interview. “I used to be simply taking part in a prank, a easy sensible joke, and this man didn’t take it very properly and shot me.”

Kotaku reached out to Cook dinner and the Categorized Goons for remark.

Replace: In response to a brand new report from WUSA9, Colie’s public defender Adam Pouilliard mentioned Cook dinner “antagonized” his shopper, including that Colie was “focused, harassed, accosted, and adopted” by Cook dinner within the Dulles City Middle Mall. The character of the prank concerned Cook dinner utilizing Google Translate to play the phrase “I believe you scent,” as Colie was within the mall to select up a DoorDash order, in line with Loudoun County Sheriff’s Workplace detective Katie Mitchell. Deputy Commonwealth Lawyer Anthony Needham mentioned Colie instructed Cook dinner to “depart him alone” and even swatted the cellphone out of his face, however Cook dinner was “as shut as six inches away” when Colie pulled a gun out of his vest and fired contained in the mall. Colie was denied bond, in line with WUSA9. 

Due to this, the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Lawyer’s Workplace mentioned in a press release to WUSA9 that costs towards Cook dinner could also be thought of.

“This matter continues to be underneath investigation,” the division mentioned. “The actions of Tanner Cook dinner and Alan Colie are underneath evaluate. As soon as the investigation is full, the OCA will evaluate the proof and make such charging selections as are supported by the info. This may increasingly lead to further costs.”

This doesn’t look like Cook dinner’s first time seemingly harassing a person for a prank. Whereas bothering people is a part of his so-called prank content material, WUSA9 reporter Matthew Torres mentioned somebody who was pranked by Cook dinner was left “traumatized” as the character of the joke concerned a “stalker.”

Cops responded in three minutes

In a press launch, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Workplace (LCSO) mentioned that after a name was positioned at round 11:57 a.m. native time reporting the incident, deputies have been on the scene inside three minutes. Colie, the suspect, was swiftly arrested.

“One grownup male sufferer was discovered outdoors the mall with a gunshot wound to the stomach,” LCSO mentioned. “The sufferer was handled for accidents by deputies and members of the Loudoun County Mixed Hearth and Rescue System (LC-CFRS) and transported to an area hospital for remedy. Right now, it doesn’t seem that the suspect and the sufferer have been recognized to one another.”

LCSO mentioned deputies on the scene additionally “checked your entire mall” to see if another suspects or victims have been current, however nothing was reported in that regard.

When reached for remark, a LCSO detective instructed Kotaku that the division can’t disclose a lot data as a result of the incident continues to be underneath investigation.

“We do have the shooter in custody,” the LCSO detective mentioned. “We will’t launch the sufferer’s identify or the truth that the sufferer has a social media presence, which you would possibly already know. We’re restricted on what we are able to say, however the sufferer continues to be within the hospital. Apart from that, we don’t know their standing.”

Regardless of such a traumatizing predicament that may rattle most folk, Cook dinner instructed WUSA9 that the capturing isn’t going to cease him. Posting is his “ardour,” he instructed the information station, so he’s intent to return to YouTube. Cook dinner’s anticipated to make a full restoration.

Replace, 04/07/23, 10:58 a.m. ET: This story has been edited so as to add particulars in regards to the nature of the prank and the potential of costs being pressed towards Tanner Cook dinner.