American YouTuber Pranked Strangers on First Meeting... Ultimately Shot

Shot during the production of a 'Jangnan Yeongsang' content video

An American YouTuber who was filming a 'prank' video?defined as playing mischievous tricks on people around him?was shot at a shopping mall. Although the specific circumstances at the time of the incident have not been revealed, it is reported that the YouTuber was also playing a prank on the shooter.

On the 3rd (local time), local media including the US outlet 'WUSA9' reported on a shooting incident that recently occurred at the Dulles Town Center shopping mall in Virginia. The victim is Tanner Cook, a 21-year-old American male YouTuber who runs the YouTube channel 'Classified Goons'.

While filming a YouTube video at the mall, Cook was shot by a 31-year-old male assailant, suffering serious injuries as the bullet passed through his liver and intestines. Cook was immediately transported to a hospital and received emergency treatment, and it is reported that his life is not currently in serious danger. The shooter was arrested at the scene by police. Investigations revealed that the two had just met at the time and were not involved in any grudge.

YouTuber Tanner Cook (left) was shot while filming a 'prank video' at a shopping mall in Virginia, USA. [Image source: Tanner Cook YouTube]

Cook was confirmed to be a YouTuber who produces content known as 'prank videos.' A prank refers to a harmless joke, where the prankster performs absurd actions in front of strangers and records their reactions on camera. Such 'prank YouTubers' are quite popular in the United States.

Since opening his channel in May last year, Cook had created over 30 prank videos and had more than 40,000 subscribers.

In the actual videos Cook uploaded, he plays pranks that cause discomfort to merchants in places like subways, shopping malls, and commercial districts, capturing their reactions. The merchants visibly express displeasure when seeing Cook pretending to vomit, mimicking smoking, or making absurd demands.

It is reported that Cook attempted a prank on the assailant at the time of the incident as well. Although the exact situation is unknown, the video obtained by the police shows the assailant drawing a firearm on Cook, which has been submitted as evidence.

Regarding this, Cook stated, "It was just a simple prank," adding, "The man who shot did not say anything and did not accept the prank." The shooter is currently detained in jail and is expected to face trial soon.

Meanwhile, after the incident became known, American netizens also voiced criticism toward Cook. On the last video Cook uploaded to YouTube at the end of last month, comments included, "The shooting is a bad thing, but I hope people realize that no one likes to be bullied for no reason," and "The assailant’s lawyer might submit all your videos as evidence."