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YouTube creator shot while filming prank in mall food court

By Tisha Lewis
Published  April 5, 2023 4:21pm EDT
Crime & Public Safety
FOX 5 DC

YouTube prank could be cause of Dulles Town Center shooting

A prank being recorded for YouTube could be the cause of the shooting over the weekend at Dulles Town Center. The victim’s father says his son is a YouTube influencer known for recording comical escapades at malls. FOX 5's Tisha Lewis has new details regarding the shooting at the mall.

STERLING, Va. - A prank being recorded for YouTube could be the cause of a shooting over the weekend inside a Virginia mall food court.

The victim’s father says his son, 21-year-old Tanner Cook, is a YouTube influencer known for recording comical escapades at malls. 

His father says he was recording a prank Sunday for YouTube, involving Google’s translate feature, when 31-year-old Alan Colie became offended and reportedly shot him in the abdomen. Cook remained hospitalized Tuesday. 

"He has a YouTube channel, and he goes to malls, and he tries to have fun and do goofy stuff and try to get people to laugh to watch his videos," Jeremy Cook said. "This guy wasn't laughing. He wasn't having a fun time, and decided to shoot my son because he was offended. It's too bad people today seem to take getting offended too far."

Tanner Cook apparently moved to Virginia a couple of months ago to pursue his dream of being a YouTube influencer. He's filmed several pranks on the account Classified Goons, which currently has over 39,000 subscribers. 

Colie made his first court appearance Monday and was denied bond. He’s facing several felony charges, including aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharging a firearm within a building. 

ff123bdd-Alan-Colie-1.jpg

Alan Colie, 31, of Leesburg, VA (Loudoun County Sheriff's Office)

Investigators say they have Tanner Cook's cellphone – it's possible the shooting was recorded. 

Colie is due back in court early next month. He was a Door Dash delivery driver before the shooting. 

The company says they are absolutely outraged by Colie’s actions, and he’s been permanently banned from the platform.