Sam Pepper’s latest video, Killing Best Friend Prank, has drawn criticism from the YouTube community, as well as threats from a Twitter account claiming to represent hacker group Anonymous.
Uploaded on 29 November, the video features LA-based Vine stars Sam Goldbach and Colby Brock being kidnapped, taken to a roof and tied up, before Colby is shot at point-blank range in front of Goldbach.
The prank is then revealed, with Colby in on the joke, as he gets up to reassure a weeping Goldbach. In an outro filmed a couple of days later, Goldbach describes the prank as “crazy”.
The video provoked a strong reaction from the UK YouTube community, with Jack and Finn Harries, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Benjamin Cook among the voices airing their opinions.
.@sampepper Disgusted + outraged by this video and it’s concept. It’s twisted anyway but in light of recent world events it’s Just.So.Wrong.
— Carrie Hope Fletcher (@CarrieHFletcher) November 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/GraceFVictory/status/671368169534173184
I once thought Sam Pepper was alright, however, his recent video disgusts me. Nobody should ever exploit absolute desperation and terror…
— James McVey (@TheVampsJames) November 30, 2015
In the name of 'enjoyment' or 'interest'. With the world in the place it is, I can't think of anything more distasteful to create online.
— James McVey (@TheVampsJames) November 30, 2015
Sam Pepper’s new video hasn’t changed my opinion of him at all.
— Benjamin Cook (@benjamin_cook) November 30, 2015
I can't understand why anyone would think the scenario/acts carried out in that video, are fun and entertaining. Wow @sampepper :O.
— Beckie Jane Brown (@BeckieJBrown) November 30, 2015
Pepper has not responded to the criticism, but Goldbach has made two statements, one via his personal Twitter and once on the Twitter account he shares with Colby.
“If anything this made Colby and I’s friendship much stronger, because it showed me how much we actually cared for one another,” he said in one statement.
“I’m not traumatised… we realise this isn’t a video to make people laugh, instead it was supposed to show a true friendship,” he stated in the second.
Colby has also alluded to the video, saying:
As most of you know, I took a big chance a few days ago and I'm suffering the consequences of it now. However, there are no regrets
— Colby (@itscolbybrock) December 1, 2015
Questions have since been raised over the authenticity of the video, and whether or not Goldbach was in fact aware of his participation, but this has not been clarified.
A petition was started by a viewer on Change.org on 30 November, calling for YouTube to deactivate Pepper’s channel. Within 24 hours, there were more than 100,000 signatures.
YouTube is a great platform that can empower great content. It's sad when people misuse it. https://t.co/b79H03o0Ub
— Finnegan Harries (@FinnHarries) November 30, 2015
However, a report from BBC Newsbeat claims that YouTube will not be removing the video as it does not break any of its community guidelines.
The Twitter account @TheAnonMessages, claiming to represent hacker activist group Anonymous, issued Pepper with an ultimatum to remove the video within 24 hours “or he will incur the wrath of Anonymous”. When asked on Twitter why it was taking action, the account said the video “emulates ISIS executions”.
https://twitter.com/TheAnonMessages/status/671560236084269056
However, Twitter account @YourAnonNews claimed the aforementioned account was “not a credible source”, later saying: “We don’t like Sam Pepper, but it is up to YouTube to remove vids that violate terms. We don’t take down any media, that’s censorship.”
We don't like Sam Pepper, but it is up to YouTube to remove vids that violate terms. We don't take down any media, that's censorship.
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) December 1, 2015
The story has been picked up by mainstream media outlets, including The Independent, BBC Newsbeat and the Mirror.
As the time of writing, the video is still live on Sam Pepper’s channel.
This is the second time Pepper has been criticised for the nature of his prank videos. In September 2014, the YouTube community criticised him for sexual harassment in his Fake Hand Ass Pinch Prank video.
Sam claimed the video was to raise awareness for male sexual abuse, but it eventually led to the removal of the video and him being dropped by his network.
Correction, 2 December 2015:
This post was updated to add references to two @YourAnonNews tweets and to clarify the role of @TheAnonMessages; previously we had reported that @TheAnonMessages was the official voice of Anonymous.
Check back for more…
This article is a developing story, so we will update it as new developments take place.
