Angela B. Culture 04.05.2023 02:Apr AM EDT

YouTuber Doing Prank Videos Was Shot at a Mall

You've probably seen at least one video of a content creator approaching a stranger and asking them questions, or pranking random people for the sake of content. In this instance, the YouTuber's attempts to prank someone have gone awry, resulting in his getting shot.

Prank Video Gone Wrong

Tanner Cook, a 21-year-old YouTuber who runs the channel Classified Goons, creates content that involves pranking people. While some are simple fun, some videos would show Cook pretending to urinate in stores or asking people to play "Naked Twister," as reports say.

As he was filming for a video at Dulles Town Center in Virginia on Sunday, he approached a stranger that did not tolerate his antics and reacted violently by firing a gun at the YouTuber, which pierced his stomach and lover, according to Gizmodo.

Cook ended up in the intensive care unit for treatment of the gunshot wound. The YouTuber stated that while it was only a practical joke, but the man did not take it very well. Sheriff Mike Chapman said that the shooting occurred as Cook and Colie argued in the mall food court.

The shooter identified to be 31-year-old Alan Colie was immediately arrested by the police. He is charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm within a building.

Jeramy Cook, Tanner Cook's father, said that there were making a video at the mall and trying to have fun with people, but the guy wasn't having fun. They were taking a video using a phone as they interviewed him but he didn't like it and pulled out his gun and shot Tanner.

The Dulles Town Center was closed for the entire weekend and re-opened come Monday. The shooting caused panic at the mall, according to The New York Post. One of Cook's friends captured the moment Colie pulled out the gun, which will be used for evidence.

While the incident might've scared anyone from making such videos ever again, Tanner Cook said as he was still in the hospital that he will continue to make prank videos for his channel, which has almost 41,000 subscribers and 37 videos.

Limits of What's Appropriate for Content

The limits of what content creators can do before they cross a line have been debated by many. While some say that what Cook did was only light-hearted fun, others would argue that he may be crossing a line.

For those who prefer to be left unbothered, it might come as a nuisance for YouTubers or TikTokers to approach them. While gun violence is not to be tolerated, the incident shows what the worst-case scenario consequences might be if a content creator offends a stranger.

Some create content that harms others or themselves for the sake of entertainment, while others ask intrusive questions that might make the interviewee uncomfortable such as what their "body count" is or "would you rather" questions. Ultimately, the limits will lie with the unsuspecting person involved.