YouTube headquarters shooting

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YouTube headquarters shooting
YouTube's headquarters in San Bruno, California pictured in April 2017
San Bruno is located in San Francisco
San Bruno
San Bruno
San Bruno (San Francisco)
San Bruno is located in San Francisco Bay Area
San Bruno
San Bruno
San Bruno (San Francisco Bay Area)
San Bruno is located in California
San Bruno
San Bruno
San Bruno (California)
San Bruno is located in the United States
San Bruno
San Bruno
San Bruno (the United States)
LocationYouTube headquarters
901 Cherry Avenue
San Bruno, California, U.S.
Coordinates37°37′41″N 122°25′35″W / 37.62816°N 122.42630°W / 37.62816; -122.42630 (Shooting)
DateApril 3, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-04-03) (PDT, UTC−7)
Attack type
Attempted murder, mass shooting
WeaponsSmith & Wesson SD9VE semi-automatic pistol[1]
Deaths1 (the perpetrator)[2]
Injured4 (3 by gunfire)[3]
PerpetratorNasim Najafi Aghdam[4]
MotiveRetaliation for YouTube channel demonetization[5]

On April 3, 2018, at approximately 12:46 p.m. PDT, a shooting occurred at the headquarters of the American video-sharing website YouTube in San Bruno, California. The shooter was identified as 38-year-old Nasim Najafi Aghdam, an Iranian-American woman, who entered through an exterior parking garage, approached an outdoor patio, and opened fire with a Smith & Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. Aghdam wounded three people, one of them critically, before killing herself with her own firearm.[6][7][8]

Shooting

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At 12:46 p.m., San Bruno police received reports of a shooter at the YouTube headquarters.[9] Aghdam's weapon had a capacity of 10 rounds and she emptied one magazine before reloading.[10] Helicopter footage later showed a large hole and broken glass in the building's lobby doors.[11] A coroner's report found that Aghdam died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the heart, finding no evidence of drugs or alcohol in her system.[12]

Perpetrator

[edit]
Nasim Najafi Aghdam

The perpetrator was identified by police as Nasim Najafi Aghdam (Persian: نسيم نجفى اقدم; 5 April 1979 – 3 April 2018), a vegan activist and fitness personality of Iranian-Azerbaijani heritage.[13][14] She was born in Urmia, Iran; her parents immigrated to Iran from the Republic of Azerbaijan.[14] She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1996.[15][16][17] She was a registered member of the Baháʼí Faith[18] and described how veganism aligned with her religion.[19] She was critical of Muslims and Baháʼís who ate animals.[20] She lived with her grandmother in Riverside County, California,[16][17] and posted content on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and YouTube in Persian, Azerbaijani, English and Turkish.[16] Her content went viral on Iranian social media and drew widespread attention.[21] She had protested with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against the use of pigs in United States Marine Corps' training procedures for victims of trauma.[22]

Aghdam purchased and registered a 9 mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol from The Gun Range San Diego, a gun dealer, on January 16, 2018.[23] On March 31, 2018, Aghdam's family reported to the police that she was missing.[5] According to her father, she hated YouTube, and the family was worried she might be traveling to the company's offices.[24][25]

The morning before the shooting, police officers found Aghdam sleeping in her car in a Walmart parking lot in Mountain View, 23 miles (37 km) south of YouTube's headquarters.[26][27] The officers did not identify her as a threat, and it is unclear whether they were aware of the concerns of Aghdam's father.[28] Aghdam visited a shooting range the day before the shooting.[27]

Police believe Aghdam was motivated by perceived discrimination by YouTube towards her channels.[29][30] She complained about the company on her website,[31][32] writing that "Youtube filtered my channels to keep them from getting views!" and that the company had demonetized most of her videos.[33]

Her father Ismail, of Riverside County, said that his daughter was a "vegan activist and animal lover" who told him that YouTube had been censoring her videos and stopped paying her for her content. "She was angry," he said.[34] According to The Mercury News, her YouTube channel included strange workout video clips, graphic anti-animal abuse videos and vegan cooking tutorials.[34]

Victims

[edit]

San Francisco General Hospital and Stanford University Medical Center treated four victims: a 36-year-old man in critical condition, a 32-year-old woman in fair condition, a 27-year-old woman in stable condition, and one woman who injured her ankle while fleeing.[35][36][3][37][38][39]

Reactions

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U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted, "Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved. Thank you to our phenomenal law enforcement officers and first responders that are currently on the scene."[40] Other politicians who extended condolences included Vice President Mike Pence, Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and California U.S. senator Dianne Feinstein.[41][42][43]

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki wrote on Twitter: "There are no words to describe how horrible it was to have an active shooter @YouTube today. Our deepest gratitude to law enforcement & first responders for their rapid response. Our hearts go out to all those injured & impacted today. We will come together to heal as a family."[44] Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoed his sentiments on Twitter, and sent an email to his employees describing the shooting as an "unimaginable tragedy" and a "horrific act of violence."[45]

Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos, the CEOs of Apple and Amazon respectively, offered their condolences.[46][47] Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, and Box CEO Aaron Levie called for stricter gun control legislation.[48] On Twitter, some right-wing accounts used the hashtag #CensorshipKills to blame the shooting on YouTube and portray Aghdam as a free speech martyr.[49]

The Baháʼí National Center condemned the shooting and extended their condolences.[50][51]

References

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  1. ^ Zwirz, Elizabeth (May 31, 2018). "YouTube shooter asked about a job when she visited the campus a day earlier, police say". Fox News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  2. ^ D'Onfro, Jillian (April 3, 2018). "Female suspect in YouTube HQ shooting is dead". NBC News. CNBC. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Simon, Darran (April 4, 2018). "Trauma surgeon in YouTube shooting vents his frustration over gun violence". CNN. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "Woman who allegedly carried out YouTube shooting is identified by police". NBC News. CNBC. April 3, 2018. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Coldeway, Devin; Hatmaker, Taylor (April 4, 2018). "Police say shooter's anger over YouTube policies 'appears to be the motive'". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  6. ^ Allen, Karma (April 4, 2018). "Family of alleged YouTube shooter warned police 'she might do something'". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. ^ "Shooter dead, at least 3 injured in YouTube shooting, police say". KRON. April 3, 2018. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018.
  8. ^ Astor, Maggie; Salam, Maya (April 3, 2018). "YouTube Shooting: Woman Wounds 3 Before Killing Herself, Police Say". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018.
  9. ^ "YouTube shooting: Timetable of events". The Mercury News. April 4, 2018. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  10. ^ "YouTube shooter legally purchased firearm in San Diego earlier this year". CBS News. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  11. ^ Graff, Amy (April 6, 2018). "YouTube shooter's parents: 'She never hurt one ant, how she shoot the people?'". SF Gate. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  12. ^ "Coroner: YouTube Shooter Shot Herself Through the Heart". US News & World Report. Associated Press. July 9, 2018. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Vegan who 'railed against YouTube'". BBC News. April 4, 2018. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Nasim Najafi Aghdam: Türkçe videolar da üreten YouTube saldırganı". BBC News Türkçe (in Turkish). April 4, 2018. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  15. ^ Wakabayashi, Daisuke; Haag, Matthew; Dias, Elizabeth (April 4, 2018). "Sleeping In Car and Visiting Gun Range: How YouTube Attacker Spent Final Hours". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  16. ^ a b c "La police s'interroge sur les motivations de l'auteure de la fusillade au siège de Youtube" [Police question motives of YouTube shooter]. Le Monde (in French). April 4, 2018. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  17. ^ a b Gosk, Stephanie; Rainey, James; McGee, Courtney; Connor, Tracy (April 4, 2018). "YouTube shooter Nasim Aghdam's father says she wouldn't hurt an ant". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023.
  18. ^ Jenkins, Jack (April 6, 2018). "The 'Splainer: The YouTube shooter's Baha'i faith". Religion News Service. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  19. ^ Ross, Martha (April 4, 2018). "YouTube suspect's interview: Peace through veganism". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  20. ^ Orfanides, Effie (April 3, 2018). "Nasim Aghdam: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  21. ^ Wakabayashi, Daisuke; Erdbrink, Thomas; Haag, Matthew (April 4, 2018). "'Vegan Bodybuilder': How YouTube Attacker, Nasim Aghdam, Went Viral in Iran". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  22. ^ Davis, Kristina (August 13, 2009). "PETA protests military's use of pigs in training". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018. Nasim Aghdam ... demonstrated with a plastic sword against the Marines' killing of pigs in a military exercise. "For me, animal rights equal human rights," Aghdam said.
  23. ^ Lyons, Jenna (April 5, 2018). "YouTube shooter purchased gun in January in San Diego". SFGate. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  24. ^ Choi, David (April 4, 2018). "Father of the suspected YouTube shooter reportedly told police his daughter was 'angry' with the company, warned that she might travel to its office". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  25. ^ Allen, Karma (April 4, 2018). "Family of alleged YouTube shooter warned police 'she might do something'". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  26. ^ Wynter, Kareen; McDade, Mary Beth (April 4, 2018). "YouTube Shooter's Brother Said He Called Police, Warned Them in Advance After Sister Reported Missing". KTLA News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  27. ^ a b Yan, Holly; Karimi, Faith (April 4, 2018). "YouTube shooter visited gun range before attack, police say". CNN. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  28. ^ Lockie, Alex (April 4, 2018). "Police reportedly found and questioned Nasim Aghdam on the morning of the YouTube shooting, then let her go". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  29. ^ "YouTube attacker was vegan activist who accused tech firm of discrimination". CNBC. No. April 4, 2018. Reuters. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018. YouTube filtered my channels to keep them from getting views.
  30. ^ Machkovech, Sam (April 4, 2018). "Tragic YouTube shooting casts new light on creators' "adpocalypse" complaints [Updated] Alleged shooter left a video behind with complaints about revenue. What's going on?". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  31. ^ Aghdam, Nasim. "Nasim Aghdam's website". Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  32. ^ Balsamo, Michael; Nakashima, Ryan (April 4, 2018). "YouTube shooter told family she 'hated' the company". CTV News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  33. ^ Gosk, Stephanie; Rainey, James; McGee, Courtney; Connor, Tracy (April 4, 2018). "YouTube shooter Nasim Aghdam was vegan who complained about 'suppression'". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  34. ^ a b Barron, Ethan (April 4, 2018). "YouTube shooter's father says she was angry at company". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018.
  35. ^ Johnson, Alex; Blankstein, Andrew (April 4, 2018). "Female suspect dead in shooting at YouTube's HQ in San Bruno, California". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  36. ^ "Shooting at YouTube HQ in California". BBC News. April 3, 2018. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  37. ^ Dave, Paresh (April 5, 2018). "Shots fired at YouTube offices in California, casualties reported". Reuters. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  38. ^ "Active Shooter, Casualties Reported At YouTube Headquarters". CBS San Francisco Local News. April 3, 2018. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  39. ^ Astor, Maggie; Salam, Maya (April 3, 2018). "YouTube Shooting: Woman Wounds 3 Before Killing Herself, Police Say". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018. Brent Andrew, a spokesman for the hospital, said at a news conference that a 36-year-old man was in critical condition, a 32-year-old woman in serious condition and a 27-year-old woman in fair condition.
  40. ^ Trump, Donald [@realDonaldTrump] (April 3, 2018). "Was just briefed on the shooting at YouTube's HQ in San Bruno, California. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved. Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2024 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Pence, Mike [@VP45] (April 3, 2018). "Praying for the injured & their families. Grateful to ATF and all law enforcement & first responders who responded today and have been on the scene. https://t.co/vyDtODnpoE" (Tweet). Retrieved August 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Feinstein, Dianne [@SenFeinstein] (April 3, 2018). "My stomach sinks with yet another active shooter alert. I'm praying for the safety of everyone at YouTube headquarters" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  43. ^ Pelosi, Nancy [@SpeakerPelosi] (April 3, 2018). "My staff & I are closely following developments from the active shooter situation at YouTube HQ in San Bruno, CA. Thank you to our heroic first responders. Our Bay Area community – and all American communities – deserve real action to #EndGunViolence" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Griffin, Andrew (April 4, 2018). "YouTube Shooting: Senior Staff at Google Respond to Attack on Video Site's Headquarters". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  45. ^ Canales, Katie (April 3, 2018). "Read the email Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent employees about the YouTube shooting". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  46. ^ Van Boom, Daniel (April 3, 2018). "Apple, Amazon and more react to YouTube HQ shooting". CNET. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  47. ^ Barrabi, Thomas (April 3, 2018). "Silicon Valley CEOs extend condolences after YouTube shooting". Fox Business. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  48. ^ Rodriguez, Salvador (April 3, 2018). "Tech CEOs call for gun control following YouTube shooting". Reuters News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  49. ^ Robertson, Adi (April 4, 2018). "Trolls and conspiracy theorists are making the YouTube shooter a free speech martyr". The Verge. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  50. ^ Baha'is of the United States [@BahaiUS] (April 4, 2018). "The Baha'is of the United States would like to address the shooting that occurred on April 3rd at the YouTube headquarters in San Bruno, California. The shooter has been identified as Ms. Nasim Aghdam, a registered Baha'i" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  51. ^ Jenkins, Jack (April 6, 2018). "The 'Splainer: The YouTube shooter's Baha'i faith". Religion News Service. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
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