When a YouTuber Turns Up the Volume – The Chaotic Day at YouTube’s California Office
What Happened
On a Tuesday that could barely be called a peaceful one, Nasim Najafi Aghdam, a 39‑year‑old Iranian‑American, took a walk that turned into a tragic gunfire incident at YouTube’s headquarters in San Bruno, just south of San Francisco.
- She entered the parking garage, made her way to an open‑air plaza, and started shooting.
- Three people were wounded, and she ultimately took her own life.
- The attacks didn’t make it inside the building – YouTube staff were left with a pretty awful “oops” moment.
Why She Was Picked On
Nasim’s frustration had been brewing for a while. In a video she posted before it was taken down by YouTube’s moderation system, she declared: “I am being discriminated. I am being filtered on YouTube.” She felt her content was unfairly targeted, especially her workout videos that were flagged as “adult‑only.”
Before the shooting, she had been at a gun range, saying she had a legally purchased Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. She didn’t have a specific target in mind; it was more of an outburst than a planned political statement.
Family Chaos
After a family dispute that would make a soap opera jealous, Nasdaq’s mother moved out of her San Diego home. Monday’s search for her led to police finding her hiding in a car on a spot near the headquarters, calm and cooperative, and she didn’t talk about YouTube at all.
Her father, Ismail Aghdam, said he feared she might go to the company’s offices because she “HATED” it. Mountain View police disputed that claim, noting that the conversation never mentioned violence—only her anger about her videos being removed.
A few relatives reached out, but no one could directly contact Nasim. The family later expressed “absolute shock” and joined in the hope for healing.
YouTube’s Response
Feeling a bit rattled, YouTube (a Google sub‑company) issued a statement saying they’d revisit the incident in detail and bolster security worldwide. They also reminded people that they aim to balance free speech and a safe user environment.
The Aftermath for the Victims
- One man, in his 30s, was still in serious condition at San Francisco General Hospital on Wednesday.
- Two other injured staffers were discharged Tuesday night.
In the weeks that followed, the San Bruno police chief filed a report to determine whether the attack reached “terrorism” grounds. The case is still under review, but the reality is clear: an angry soul crossed a line, and the world lost something notable in the process.
