YouTube product manager’s Twitter account hacked during shooting

During the shooting attack today at YouTube's headquarters in San Bruno California, a hacker hijacked a verified Twitter account belonging to a product manager at YouTube to spread fake news.

As 'YouTube HQ' topped 'trending' terms on Twitter in the US, a hacker used Vadim Lavrusik's account to implicate a YouTube broadcaster in the shooting.

Broadcasting out to his more than 40,000 followers, the hacker tweeted “PLEASE HELP ME FIND MY FRIEND I LOST HIM IN THE SHOOTING.”

According to The Verge, the tweet linked to a picture of Keemstar, a popular YouTuber. Keemstar was not involved in the shooting.

Thank You! https://t.co/v1ICuPxI4T

— KEEM ? (@KEEMSTAR) April 3, 2018

The hack was quickly brought to the attention of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey

We’re on it

— jack (@jack) April 3, 2018

I have my account back. Thanks @Twitter @jack for your help.

— Vadim Lavrusik (@Lavrusik) April 3, 2018

The shooting suspect shot three people, according to a police spokesman. Three victims were taken to local Bay Area hospitals: a 36-year-old male in critical condition, a 32-year-old woman in serious condition, and a 27-year-old woman in fair condition. The shooter died at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound according to police.

We are seeing @YouTube employees being brought out with hands up! pic.twitter.com/ZlSMY9FIVm

— Erin (@erinjeanc) April 3, 2018

From everyone at Apple, we send our sympathy and support to the team at YouTube and Google, especially the victims and their families.

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 3, 2018