A YouTuber was shot in the stomach at a Virginia mall on April 2 after trying to play what he called a “simple joke” at a man.
Tanner Cook is a member of the Classified Goons, a group that has been posting prank videos on YouTube since May 2022. These quips, known as “just a few ‘boneheads'” according to the group’s YouTube channel description, have racked up millions of views over tick tock And youtube for their typically silly and infantile jokes. one of the group Most Viewed Videos feature popular streamer JiDion
YouTuber Tanner Cook shot, arrested
According to the news channel WUSA9Cook was shot in the stomach and liver while recording classified idiot video at Dulles Town Center Mall in Sterling, Virginia. The suspected shooter, 31-year-old Alan W. Colie, was arrested and charged with aggravated malicious intent, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and firing a firearm inside a building. An investigation is still ongoing while Cook underwent surgery for the incident. He said WUSA9 that Colie didn’t say anything. He just pulled a gun and shot Cook.
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“I’m fine,” Cook said WUSA9 in an exclusive interview. “I was just pranking, a simple joke, and this guy didn’t take it well and shot me.”
my city has reached out to Cook and the Classified Idiots for comment.
To update: According to a new report by WUSA9Colie’s public defender Adam Pouilliard said Cook “upset” his client, adding that Cook’s Colie told Mall. The nature of the prank involved Cook using Google Translate to play the phrase “I think you smell it” when Colie was at the mall to pick up a DoorDash order, according to Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office detective Katie Mitchell . Deputy Commonwealth Attorney Anthony Needham said Colie told Cook to “leave him alone” and even smacked the phone out of his face, but Cook was “up to six inches away” when Colie pulled out a gun took off his vest and shot into the mall. According to Colie, the bond was denied WUSA9.
That’s why the Loudoun County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office said in a statement WUSA9 that charges against Cook may be considered.
“This matter is still under investigation,” the department said. “The actions of Tanner Cook and Alan Colie are currently under investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the OCA reviews the evidence and makes charging decisions supported by the facts. This can result in additional costs.”
This doesn’t appear to be the first time Cook has seemingly molested a person over a prank. While harassing people is part of his so-called prank content, WUSA9 reporter Matthew Torres said someone Cook pranked was left behind.traumatized‘ as the nature of the joke involved a ‘stalker’.
The police responded within three minutes
In a press release, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) said that once a call was placed at approximately 11:57 a.m. local time reporting the incident, deputies were on the scene within three minutes. Colie, the suspect, was quickly arrested.
“An adult male victim was found outside of the mall with a gunshot wound to the abdomen,” the LCSO said. “The victim was treated for injuries by deputies and members of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS) and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. As of this writing, the suspect and victim do not appear to know each other.”
LCSO said MPs on the ground also “scanned the entire mall” to see if other suspects or victims were present, but nothing was reported to that effect.
When reached for comment, an LCSO detective said my city that the department cannot reveal much information as the incident is still under investigation.
“We have the shooter in custody,” the LCSO detective said. “We cannot release the victim’s name or the fact that the victim has a social media presence that you may already be aware of. We can only say limited, but the victim is still in the hospital. Besides that, we don’t know their status.”
Despite such a traumatizing predicament that would shake most people, Cook said WUSA9 that the shooting won’t stop him. Posting is his “passion,” he told the news channel, so he intends to return to YouTube. Cook expects a full recovery.
Update 7/4/23 10:58am ET: This story has been edited to add details about the nature of the prank and the possibility of charges against Tanner Cook.