‘I'm being discriminated and filtered on YouTube and I'm not the only one’
YouTube HQ was targeted by a shooting yesterday, when a YouTuber suspected to be Nasim Aghdam, started fire in the firm’s San Bruno complex in Northern California.
The 39-year-old shot three people on Tuesday before supposedly turning the gun and killing herself, as employees barricaded themselves in their offices and fled the building with their hands above their heads.
The gunshot victims included a 36-year-old-man, a 32-year-old woman and a 27-year-old woman, who are all being treated at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
The suspected shooter was found dead at the scene after having shot herself.
Nasim Aghdam was a YouTuber, who despite having a number of channels on the site, had publicly accused the video platform of discrimination, claiming that her videos were getting blocked and stopped from getting maximum views.
'I'm being discriminated and filtered on YouTube and I'm not the only one,' she explained in a video, also writing a critical post about YouTube on her website.
'Videos of targeted users are filtered & merely relegated, so that people can hardly see their videos!' she stated. 'There is no equal growth opportunity on YouTube or any other video sharing site, your channel will grow if they want to!!!!!'
It was reported after the shooting that Aghdam's father Ismail had informed the police of her hatred for the company and warned them that she could be heading there.
YouTube employees live tweeted the shooting, with Product Manager Todd Sherman tweeting, 'We were sitting in a meeting and then we heard people running because it was rumbling the floor. First thought was earthquake.'
Another YouTube employee Vadim Lavrusik also live-tweeted the incident, posting, 'Active shooter at YouTube HQ. Heard shots and saw people running while at my desk. Now barricaded inside a room with coworkers.'
YouTube chief executive Susan Wojcicki took to her Twitter after the attack to make a statement.
'There are no words to describe how horrible it was to have an active shooter @YouTube today,' she posted. '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.'
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, also took to his Twitter to release a statement.
'There are no words to describe the tragedy that occurred today. Susan Wojcicki & I are focussed on supporting our employees & the YouTube community through this difficult time together. Thank you to the police & first responders for their efforts, and to all the msgs of support.'
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