YouTuber suspected of killing fellow YouTuber referred to prosecutors on 'revenge killing' charge

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YouTuber suspected of killing fellow YouTuber referred to prosecutors on 'revenge killing' charge

Published: 16 May. 2024, 13:43 Updated: 16 May. 2024, 19:17

A YouTuber accused of killing a fellow YouTuber in front of Busan District Court in Yeonje Distirct, southeastern Busan, is escorted at Busan Yeonje Police Station. [YONHAP]

A YouTuber who killed a fellow YouTuber in front of a courthouse in Busan was referred to prosecutors on Thursday on the charge of revenge killing.

The YouTuber in his 50s was arrested on May 9 for allegedly stabbing another YouTuber in his 40s in front of Busan District Court in Yeonje District, southeastern Busan.

The Busan Yeonje Police Precinct referred the suspect for the charge of revenge killing under the Act of Aggravated Punishment for Specific Economic Crimes. The crime carries with it a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, compared to five years for simple murder.

YouTuber feud sparks deadly stabbing on live stream outside Busan court

The police believe the suspect committed the crime to prevent the victim from petitioning the court to punish the suspect for an earlier assault.

A hearing regarding the assault was set to be held at the court on the day of the incident.

The two reportedly had been embroiled in a legal dispute for insulting and physically assaulting one other for the past three years.

The victim was carrying a three-page petition to the court when the suspect fatally stabbed him.

“The suspect killed the victim to thwart the victim’s actions that could influence the trial, which is classified as a revenge murder,” a police officer said.

The police suspect the attacker planned the murder as he purchased a 35-centimeter long (13.7 inches) knife at a supermarket in Busan a day before and rented a car in advance.

Forensic examination of his cell phone and the conflict between the two also supported the suspicion of premeditation, said a police.

When questioned by reporters at the Busan Yeonje Police Station, the defendant said he was “sorry for causing a stir,” but he denied planning the crime.

Following the attack, the attacker quickly fled the scene with a pre-rented car but was apprehended by police in Gyeonju, North Gyeongsang, an hour and 50 minutes after the attack.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]