YouTuber PewDiePie has spoken out after mass shootings which took place at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The attacks, which targeted Muslims, have left at least 40 people dead.
Mosques in Deans Avenue and Linwood Avenue were targeted, with police urging all mosques across New Zealand to shut their doors in the wake over safety concerns.
The event was disgustingly livestreamed by one of the shooters.
YouTube star PewDiePie, who’s currently synonymous with the phrase “Subscribe to PewDiePie” thanks to the subs war with T-Series has become unwilling embroiled in the attack after one of the shooters uttered the words before the shooting unfolded.
Over on Twitter, the YouTube star issued a statement on the news, saying: “Just heard news of the devastating reports from New Zealand Christchurch. I feel absolutely sickened having my name uttered by this person. My heart and thoughts go out to the victims, families and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Just heard news of the devastating reports from New Zealand Christchurch.
I feel absolutely sickened having my name uttered by this person.
My heart and thoughts go out to the victims, families and everyone affected by this tragedy.— ƿ૯ωძɿ૯ƿɿ૯ (@pewdiepie) March 15, 2019
The controversial YouTube star is now receiving some backlash on social media – despite not being involved in the massacre in any way.
You had nothing to do with the tragedy that has unfolded, nor did you ask for your name to be invoked by a crazy, violent person.
Every individual is responsible for his or her own actions.
Be well.
— Colin Moriarty (@notaxation) March 15, 2019
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, issued a statement saying: “We have undoubtedly experienced an attack today that is unprecedented, unlike anything that we have experienced before.
“But, as I say, New Zealand has been chosen because we are not a place where violent extremism exists.
“We reject those notions and we must continue to reject them. This is not an enclave for that kind of behaviour, for that kind of ideology.
“We will and must reject it. This is a place where people should feel secure and will feel secure.
“I am not going to let this change New Zealand’s profile, none of us should.”
Featured Image Credit: PewDiePie