In a recent courtroom case, a man found himself acquitted by a jury after shooting a YouTuber in the stomach.
Alan Colie faced a series of charges when he shot Tanner Cook, a YouTuber known for his pranks on the "Classified Goons" channel. Colie admitted to the shooting, claiming it was an act of self-defense. He explained that he carries a gun while working as a DoorDash driver due to reports of other drivers being robbed.
The incident occurred on April 2nd when Cook and a friend approached Colie at a food court in Dulles Town Center to create a video for their YouTube prank channel. They filmed a video where Cook played a phrase from a translation app near Colie's ear while holding a phone. Colie started to feel confused and perceived Cook and his friend as appearing cold and angry.
While the video itself has not been publicly released, it shows Colie shooting Cook after they approached him, without Cook physically touching him.
Colie explained his actions to the jury, stating, "In my mind, I registered that he was a threat to me, and he was going to harm me. I saw his left hand down in his left pocket. I didn't know if he was concealing a weapon. For the sake of my safety, I took out the gun from my right pocket and I shot him in the stomach. At that time, I was fearful that my life was in danger."
Tanner Cook, The victim
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Eden Holmes questioned Colie's response to the 20-second interaction, asking if pulling out his gun was the only option. Colie replied, "Those were my thoughts."
Holmes argued, "We don't like our personal space invaded, but that does not justify the ability to shoot someone in a public space during an interaction that lasted for only 20 seconds."
Adam Pouilliard, Colie's defense attorney, emphasized that Colie had no intention of interacting with Tanner Cook when he entered the mall to perform his job.
The Commonwealth also pointed out that Cook had never physically touched Colie and was unarmed. In the end, Colie was cleared of charges related to aggravated malicious wounding and the use of a firearm for such wounding but was convicted of discharging a gun inside the mall.
Speaking about the outcome, Cook expressed his acceptance, saying, "I really don't care; I mean, it is what it is. It's God's plan at the end of the day." Cook's mother, Marla Elam, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that she accepts the jury's acquittal and is simply grateful that her son is alive.
Meanwhile in Texas, a 38-year-old man is facing a grim future behind bars for the heart-wrenching and brutal killing of his infant daughter nearly two years ago. See detailed story here
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