YouTuber Tanner Cook Shot In Prank Video Gone Awry

YouTuber Tanner Cook of the prank channel Classified Goons is expected to make a full recovery after getting shot over the weekend while making one of his videos.

A news report from WUSA9, Washington D.C.'s CBS affiliate, went viral over the past two days. Cook, 21, was allegedly shot by 31-year-old Alan Colie at the Dulles Town Center Mall in Sterling, Virginia. Colie is now charged with aggravated malicious wounding, using a firearm to commit a felony, and firing a weapon within a building.

"I was playing a prank and a simple practical joke, and this guy didn't take it very well," Cook told media outlets.

The nature of Cook's prank on Colie is unclear. On Classified Goons, he has "prank" robbed stores and grocery shoppers in previous videos, sometimes receiving criticism for his controversial gags.

On social media, many were glad Cook was expected to make a full recovery but some stopped short of being sympathetic to his plight. Prank videos have long been a divisive subgenre of YouTube video, and many felt that Cook was "finding out" after building an audience by messing around.

Just looked up Tanner Cook, his channel is “certified goons” all he does is harass people. This is not a “prank” it’s harassment.
Not saying shooting ppl is the solution, but leave people tf alone, bc not everyone is gonna play with ya ass! 👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿 https://t.co/IUQrH4PiBb pic.twitter.com/2NNExoRlK0

— ⟆ƿ𝒾ŕ𝒾ቲ ٥ғ ṪևҌෆລ𝜼 🇺🇸🏳️‍⚧️ (@OaklandB0rn) April 4, 2023

Still in recovery while clips from the shooting are being spread on social media, Cook said he plans to continue making videos after he recovers because it is his "passion."