A jury has found 31-year-old Alan Colie not guilty of aggravated malicious wounding in the shooting of YouTube prankster Tanner Cook. The incident took place in a Virginia mall when Cook approached Colie and followed him while playing a nonsensical recording on his cellphone. The video footage showed Colie repeatedly telling Cook to stop and attempting to push the phone away before eventually shooting him. Despite arguments from prosecutors that Colie took a gun to a “cellphone fight,” the jury sided with Colie’s claim of self-defense. However, Colie still faces charges of shooting into an occupied dwelling.
The viral video of the encounter between Colie and Cook triggered a debate on social media, with many supporting Colie’s actions, claiming that Cook was harassing a stranger. The jury’s decision reflects a belief in Colie’s reasonable fear of serious physical danger, which is a requirement for claiming self-defense. Although found not guilty of aggravated malicious wounding and malicious discharge, Colie could still face up to 10 years in prison for shooting into an occupied dwelling. Despite the incident, Cook intends to continue making prank videos for his YouTube channel, “Classified Goons.”
The court proceedings revealed the details of the encounter between YouTube prankster Tanner Cook and food delivery driver Alan Colie that ended with Cook being shot. The jury’s verdict of not guilty for aggravated malicious wounding indicates their acceptance of Colie’s claim of acting in self-defense. In the video played during the trial, Colie can be seen attempting to back away from Cook and pushing his cellphone away multiple times before resorting to the use of his gun. The case generated a considerable amount of debate on social media, with many individuals expressing support for Colie and arguing that Cook was harassing him. While Colie has been acquitted of some charges, he still faces potential prison time for shooting into an occupied dwelling. In the aftermath of the incident, Cook has stated his intention to continue creating prank videos for his YouTube channel.
