Prosecutors weigh in on YouTube prankster who was shot in Va. man – The Washington Post

Jeramy Cook, father of 21-year-old YouTuber Tanner Cook He said it shows “partiality in the law” and “people control” that Loudoun County State’s Attorney Buta Biberaj will also file a case against his son. He added that he has received mocking messages on social media from people who say YouTube comedians are harassing people for making noise online and deserve to be shot.

“If you’re going to blame my son, go blame TV celebrities on game shows,” he said. “And everyone else – all the people getting punked pictures on social media – let’s make sure no one can do that anymore.”

Biberaj (D) said in an interview Friday that two “partial videos” of the encounter show Tanner Cook trying to play a game on Alan W. Colie, 31, shortly before the shooting on Sunday. On Friday, after the two reports were published by The Washington Post, Biberaj said: “There is nothing to suggest, based on current information, that what Cook did was issue this response.”

But he said, in a separate case, he could not rule out the shooting victim if evidence showed Cook threatened or touched Collie. Asked if he had such evidence, Biberaj said, “the collection of evidence continues.”

He later added: “I do not have the final report prepared by the sheriff’s office on these matters. Any decision on any charges will be made after such final report and consultation with the Sheriff’s Office.

In a bond hearing Wednesday, public defender Adam Pouilliard argued that Coley could throw Cook in his own defense and that his client was “slowed down, harassed, accommodated and stalked” and released pending trial.

A Loudoun County assistant prosecutor, Anthony Needham, responded in court that Colie should be denied bond because he opened fire on unarmed people in the market, before adding, “We’re also looking at the victims of this,” Biberaj said.

Needham said the YouTubers’ behavior was “very troubling. … But what he’s saying is that the defendant in this case was simply not justified in using — even dying — a weapon, let alone using it,” Biberaj testified.

Needham declined to comment on the case, referring questions to Biberaj.

on foot A cook approaches Colie in the man’s food court area, walks close to him and follows Colie for about 60 to 90 seconds, Biberaj said.

Biberaj said, “Colie told Cook several times to stop and tried to walk away,” then shot Cook in the abdomen. Colie was charged with malicious wounding, using a firearm while committing a felony and discharging a firearm in a building. He remains in jail after the judge denied him bond, according to royal records.

“You don’t know what kind of game, where they are, or what kind of trauma they are – they receive a threat,” said Biberaj.

Then the prosecutor added: “Nothing I say absolves Colie for what he did.”

Three other people were in the market with Coco, Biberaj said. Relatives said their YouTubers are recording their videos for their “Classified Goons” channel, which has more than 40,000 followers.

The chef’s grandfather, Michael Cook, said his grandson was the funniest person of his life and was trying to use the Maffna transfer app for a bit with Collie. The YouTuber is recovering in hospital after having a surgeon remove his gallbladder, family said.

Pouilliard said his client will plead not guilty. He declined to comment further. A spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Jeramy Cook’s son said it is his first amendment right to pursue a form of written comedy that has existed for decades, going back to the days of “Candid Camera,” which aired on TV in 1948, and MTV’s “Punk’d.” to 2003. It’s people’s unconscious buttons that make it funny, he said.

“Public opinion would be very different if the guys from ‘Impractical Jokers,’ and shot. And then people would be like, ‘Oh, no, our celebrity shot,'” he said, adding, “Why can’t my son do it?”