In a recent verdict, a US jury cleared Alan Colie, 31, of aggravated malicious wounding charges after he shot Tanner Cook, 21, a YouTube prankster. Cook, behind the “Classified Goons” YouTube channel boasting over 50,000 subscribers, was shot during a prank at Dulles Town Center, near Washington DC. The incident caused panic among shoppers, evoking fears of another mass shooting event.
While Colie was acquitted of the primary charge, the jury stood divided on two ancillary firearm offenses. They convicted him on one and exonerated him on the other.
The defense, led by Adam Pouilliard, argued that Colie felt threatened by Cook’s actions intended to provoke and gain YouTube views. Standing at 6ft 5ins, Cook reportedly intimidated Colie during their brief encounter. Video evidence presented in court showcased Cook confronting Colie while collecting a food order. Cook is seen playing a mocking phrase via a Google Translate app on his phone, extremely close to Colie’s face. Despite Colie’s attempts to retreat and verbally deter Cook, the confrontation escalates, culminating in Colie shooting Cook in the chest.
Arguing the case, Prosecutor Eden Homes countered the self-defense plea, suggesting that the prank posed no genuine threat to warrant such a reaction. “How could the defendant have felt he was in reasonable danger from a silly phrase on a phone?” she questioned.
However, with the jury accepting the self-defense claim, Pouilliard contends that the firearm-related conviction contradicts the overall verdict. The matter is scheduled for a judicial review next month.