April 3, 2018

Police Identify YouTube Shooter as Woman Critical of Company’s Monetization Policies

Nasim Aghdam reportedly grew angry with the company after it stopped paying her for content.

Jeff Chiu/AP

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Update: 4/4/18, 7:30 am: Police have identified the suspected shooter as Nasim Aghdam. The 39-year-old woman had reportedly been angry with the company after it stopped paying her for her posted content.

Update: 4/3/18, 8:31 pm: Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, which owns YouTube, tweeted, “There are no words to describe the tragedy that occurred today.”

Update 4/3/18, 8:19 pm: In a press briefing, San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said the shooter used a handgun in the attack, but he couldn’t provide any other details. The identity of the suspect is still unknown, police have not confirmed whether she was an employee, and her body hasn’t been transported to a hospital. Barberini said this would be the last press conference for today. He also confirmed that three victims were shot, and one suffered an ankle injury. 

In a brief statement, Chris Dale, head of communications for YouTube said, “We are an incredibly tight-knit community within YouTube, where it feels like a family. Today it feels like the entire community of YouTube and all the employees were victims of this crime. Our hearts go out to those who suffered in this particular attack and our prayers are with them and their families.”

Update 4/3/18, 7:34 pm: A San Bruno Police Department press release confirmed that four victims have been transported to local hospitals, three of which suffered gunshot wounds. The status of the fourth injured victim is still unknown.

Update 4/3/18, 6:43 pm: Update: Brent Andrew, a spokesperson for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, told NBC that the hospital is currently treating three victims from the YouTube shooting: a 32-year-old female in “serious” condition, a 27-year-old female in “fair” condition and one male, 36, in critical condition. “We do not expect additional patients from this incident,” he said.

Update 4/3/18, 6:01 pm: President Donald Trump thanked law enforcement officers and first responders, and offered thoughts and prayers. 

Update 4/3/18, 5:50 pm: San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said in a press conference around 2:30 PST that four victims have been transported to the hospital. One female, who they believe to be the shooter, was found dead at the scene with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gun-shot wound. The building has been evacuated. He said the status of the four other victims is “unknown.” “We’re hoping for the best,” he said.

Police are responding to an active shooter situation inside the YouTube headquarters in San Bruno, California. A spokesman for San Francisco General Hospital confirmed that the hospital was receiving patients from the incident. It’s unclear at this time how many people may have been injured.

Google, which owns YouTube, released a statement Tuesday afternoon to say that the company was coordinating with local authorities on the situation.

Several YouTube employees took to social media to provide updates on the shooting:

https://twitter.com/tdd/status/981262640830754817

This is a breaking news post. We will update as more information becomes available. 

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