Delivery driver who shot YouTube prankster after stunt went wrong acted in 'self-defense'

The video shows Tanner Cook, wearing a white cap, approaching courier Alan Coley, who then shot the YouTuber in the chest from close range Photo : YouTube/FOX 5, Washington, DC

A delivery driver who shot a YouTube prankster in the chest at close range after a stunt went wrong acted in «self-defense», a US jury has ruled.

Alan Coley, 31, was acquitted in Virginia of a charge of aggravated malicious wounding in the shooting death of Tanner Cook, 21, who runs the Classified Goons YouTube channel.

Coley pleaded not guilty and said that he acted in self-defense during an incident at the Dulles Town Center mall earlier this year.

The jury was divided on two lesser firearms charges, but last week they decided to find him guilty on one and acquitted on the other. another.

On April 2, Coley opened fire on Cook in a food court in downtown Dulles, causing panic as shoppers fled what they feared was a mass shooting.

Alan Coley, 31, opened fire on Tanner Cook, 21, at Dulles Town Center on April 2. Photo: Loudoun County Sheriff's Office

Jurors were shown a video confrontation of the couple that lasted less than 30 seconds.

The footage showed Cook approaching Coley as he took a food order. . The joker then looms over Kolya, holding the cell phone about 6 inches from his face.

The phone broadcasts the phrase, “Hey dude, stop thinking about my twinkle,” several times through the Google Translate app.

Coley then tries to knock the phone away from his face before pulling out a gun and shooting Cook in the chest.

There is no pause between the moment he draws the weapon and fires the shot.

Defense lawyers said Mr. Mr Coley felt threatened by Mr Cook, who is 6ft 5ins tall. Photo: YouTube/FOX 5 Washington, D.C.

Kohli, who has been in jail since his April arrest, told the court the prank had terrified him as he testified in his own trial. defense.

Adam Pouillard, his lawyer, said during closing arguments that his client felt threatened by Mr. Cook, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall.

“He’s not afraid that he scares people. He continues to do it,” Pouillard said of Cook, whose channel has more than 50,000 subscribers, bringing him between $2,000 and $3,000 (£1,650 and £2,475) in income a month.

Mr. Pouillard entered a plea of ​​guilty. The firearms charge was inconsistent with the law given Kolya's self-defense acquittal and asked the judge to overturn it.

The issue will be considered at a hearing scheduled for next month.

The issue will be heard at hearing scheduled for next month.

p>Self-defense argument

But Eden Homes, prosecuting, said the facts of the case did not support the self-defense argument.

“They were playing a stupid line on the phone,” — she said. said. “How could the defendant discover that he had a reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm?”

Cook said he will continue to make videos for his channel, which include footage of him pretending to vomit on Uber drivers. and followed people into stores without their knowledge after the incident.

During the trial, local authorities said they were aware of Cook's behavior and had received calls about his previous antics.