YouTube shooter was angry at company for 'censorship,' 'discrimination'
A woman identified as Nasim Aghdam, YouTube employee, opened fire at the company's California headquarters yesterday, injuring three before apparently shooting herself. Law enforcement initially said they suspected it to be a domestic dispute: one of her victims was her boyfriend, who is critical. But reports reveal she had long been angry with YouTube, who she felt was discriminating against her on the platform.
A brief glimpse into Aghdam's active social media life
Aghdam, a 39-year-old San Diego resident, was an active social media user, with vocal profiles on YouTube (multiple channels), Facebook, Instagram, and a personal website too. She often posted on animal cruelty and vegan recipes, and made several posts accusing YouTube of "discriminating" against her.
Aghdam was vocal about animal rights and free speech
Aghdam was quoted by the San Diego Union-Tribune in a 2009 story on a protest by PETA against the use of pigs in military training. She is seen dressed in a wig, with drops of painted "blood" on her jeans and holding a plastic sword. In a YouTube video, she wore the "ninja look," asking whether US or Iran had better free speech records.
YouTube was "censoring" Aghdam, cutting off revenue, she claimed
In her war against YouTube, Aghdam claimed the company was "filter(ing) my channels to keep them from getting views!" She posted screenshots of her multiple channels which were apparently "filtered and demonetized" and so was "no longer eligible for monetization." A workout video of hers had been "age-restricted" by "close-minded YouTube employees." This censoring meant her revenue dropped: she claimed she earned just 10 cents after 300,000 views.
One of her videos attacking YouTube
She was missing for three days before the shooting
Aghdam was missing before the shooting. Her father lodged a complaint on Monday, when she didn't answer her phone for two days. He said he warned police she "hated" the company and that she might go to YouTube. He received a call from police early morning yesterday, and was told she had been found sleeping in a car in a Mountain View parking lot.
Three gunshot victims undergoing treatment, another injured while escaping
YouTube has now taken down most of her channels. Her three victims are undergoing treatment. Another person sustained injuries on the ankle while running during the shooting. Police haven't officially commented on the shooter's motive till now.
