When YouTube prankster Tanner Cook was shot after pulling one of his many jokes, the unexpected consequences of so-called pranks were amplified. Some students worry about getting caught in the crossfire of a prank gone wrong. 

“Mr. Colie fired his handgun at the victim while both were in the food court area of the mall [Dulles Town Center],”

said Tom Gilligan, Loudoun County Sheriff. “The matter is still under investigation so I cannot provide further details, except to say that it has been reported that the victim is the same individual who, along with friends, has been recorded doing ‘pranks’ in public locations, then posting them to social media.” 

While it can be easy to blame social media “clout” as a motivator, retaliation does not always happen on camera.

“I feel that people lash out more because of their actual feelings, not because they are being recorded. There are some people that can’t take jokes, and some people that actually go too far. If they think they are being recorded, people now cover up to avoid being posted,” said sophomore Nikki Koyyalmuddy. 

Pranks have always existed and are not solely the result of social media. Social media has increased the amount posted and put the idea in more people’s minds, but few of these pranks have risen to this extreme level, and most are harmless. 

“There has been an increase in social media-fueled pranks in recent years. However, few have risen to the level of someone being harmed or the filing of criminal charges. Most we have encountered have been initiated by teens or young adults, though the victims may be older,” said Gilligan.

With the outcome of this specific prank leading to someone being shot and taken to the hospital, the mindsets of the people visiting the mall have been changed due to the potential fear of being caught in the crossfire. On the other hand, if nothing has changed, there will always be retaliation in the world, no matter if it is filmed and posted on YouTube or not. 

“I don’t feel more scared of retaliation to pranks but just the same level of apprehension from malls from shootings themselves as those are a problem,” said sophomore Christinia Ngyuen.

The worry of shootings is not just limited to malls but to other places as well.

“I don’t feel worried in malls necessarily. But seeing this stuff happening in such close proximity to us, it makes me more worried for other places as this stuff can happen anywhere, not just in malls,” said junior Hannah Parslow.

For some, this particular shooting does not change much in terms of worries as it was more of a reaction to an instigation pulled by the victim rather than unprovoked.

“This shooting doesn’t change my worries that much. With the amount of shootings, there is a worry but this situation seems very isolated. More of  reaction than initiation,” said sophomore Ellie Barnett. 

Principal Michael Mukai reports that there have been no pranks at WS this year and says it has been very calm so far.

“While there have been tragic incidents that have occurred this year, such as the tragedy at South County, we have not had any pranks pulled this year nor any bad consequences,” said Mukai. 

Overall, the Dulles Town Center shooting has shown that while students may still be concerned about shootings, this particular one does not add much to the worries, due to it being more of a situation of responding to repeatedly being provoked.