Breitbart News: Demonstrator protesting controversial editor Milo Yiannopoulos shot on Seattle Campus
The victim is still in intensive care in a Seattle hospital
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 34-year-old man was shot on a university campus while protesting over a speech by the controversial right wing Breitbart News journalist Milo Yiannopoulos.
Police are investigating the incident at the University of Washington-Seattle campus and the victim, whose identity has not yet been made public, remains in a serious condition. The victim is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The victim was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), which describes itself as a “union for all workers” and an “anti-racist, anti-fascist organisation”.
According to a statement from the group, members were on campus last Friday to protest over Mr Yiannopoulous’ rhetoric because it “encourages violence towards minority groups.” The victim was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Approximately 80 Seattle police officers were brought in to supplement the 25 university police staff for the event, during which several people were hit with paint and people were throwing bricks.
Police Maj Steve Rittereiser told the Seattle Times that the alleged shooter, accompanied by another person, had turned himself in. The shooter has reportedly claimed self-defence and said that the union member who was shot was in truth a white supremacist who was being aggressive towards him. Both the alleged shooter and the person accompanying him were released pending an investigation and a consultation with the King County Prosecuting Office.
Mr Yiannopolous, no stranger to backlash for his views, had previously been banned from social media platform Twitter due to repeated use of misogynistic and racist language.
The editor’s $250,000 book deal with publisher Simon & Schuster was also met with criticism on social media and calling for the company to drop him.
His planned January 13 speech at University of California-Davis was canceled by organisers and a speech given at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, during which he mocked a transgender student, was condemned by school officials.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments