On Monday evening, a tragic event unfolded in Islamabad's Sector G-13/1, where a promising 17-year-old TikTok influencer, Sana Yousaf, was brutally shot dead within the confines of her own home. This heart-wrenching incident has once again ignited widespread concerns regarding the safety of social media personalities.
The violent act, which occurred within the jurisdiction of the Sumbal police station, has sent ripples of shock and horror throughout the online community, prompting urgent calls for enhanced protection for public figures. Yousaf, who had amassed an impressive following of over 740,000 on TikTok, was reportedly at home with her aunt when the assailant struck. Her father, a government officer, was at work, her mother had ventured out to the market, and her 15-year-old brother was visiting their hometown of Chitral after completing his school examinations. The family resided in the upper portion of the house, where the fatal shooting took place.
According to the aunt's harrowing narration to the police, the suspect had come to meet Yousaf. She overheard a brief conversation between the two, moments before the sinister gunfire erupted. The aunt recalled hearing her niece say, "Go away from here. There are cameras all around. I will fetch you some water," just before the assailant callously fired two shots into Yousaf's chest, leading to her instantaneous demise.
Yousaf's body was transported to PIMS Hospital for a postmortem examination, while her mother registered a case under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code. She stated in the FIR that she could readily identify the suspect upon sight. Initial investigations hinted that the accused and the victim were acquainted with each other.
In a significant breakthrough, Islamabad Police arrested the suspect, identified as Umar Hayat, alias "Kaka," in Faisalabad, merely 20 hours after the heinous crime. Sources disclosed that the arrest was facilitated through a combination of CCTV footage and advanced technology, including mobile data analysis.
Hayat, aged between 22 and 23, is also a TikToker and has confessed to the murder, claiming to be a friend of the victim. Authorities confirmed that Hayat fled to Faisalabad after committing the crime and is currently being transported back to Islamabad for further interrogation. Police have also retrieved the murder weapon and the clothes worn by the suspect during the crime.
According to investigators, CCTV footage captured Hayat walking slowly after the shooting, apparently typing on his phone before stashing it away and taking flight. It appears he utilized a car to escape Islamabad via the motorway. Although the suspect has been apprehended and has reportedly confessed, the motive behind the murder remains a subject of ongoing investigation.
This incident adds to a disturbing pattern involving female content creators being targeted. In Khushab, a TikToker was recently murdered by her cousin. Earlier this year, a female influencer was discovered dead in her Peshawar home. In January, a US-born teenager was killed by her father in Quetta over her TikTok content and lifestyle. Last year, a similar case was reported in Sialkot, where a brother took the life of his sister due to her social media presence.
Further updates are anticipated as the police continue their investigation and finalize the postmortem report, shedding light on this tragic and disturbing event.
