10 Twisted Crimes Committed During Livestreams

10. The Facebook Live Execution – Cleveland, 2017

Steve Stephens shocked the world when he posted a chilling video of himself walking up to a 74-year-old man and shooting him point-blank in the head—all while streaming the aftermath on Facebook. He claimed he did it because of a breakup and wanted to punish society. The man he murdered, Robert Godwin Sr., was chosen at random. The video stayed online for hours, raising serious questions about how platforms handle violent content.

9. The Christchurch Mosque Massacre – New Zealand, 2019

Arguably one of the most infamous livestreamed atrocities in history, Brenton Tarrant used a GoPro-style camera to broadcast his massacre of 51 innocent worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch. He streamed it on Facebook Live in a video that eerily mimicked first-person shooter games. It shocked the globe, sparked massive discussions on online radicalization, and forced tech companies to reevaluate their content policies.

8. Instagram Live Drive-By – Chicago, 2016

Antonio Perkins, 28, was on Facebook Live when he was shot and killed in a gang-related drive-by. His phone kept streaming after he collapsed, capturing panicked screams and chaos. The case highlighted the vulnerability of individuals who document their lives online in real time—sometimes without realizing who’s watching.

7. The Russian “Blue Whale” Suicide Game – 2016–2017

While not a single incident, the “Blue Whale Challenge” was a disturbing phenomenon in which teens were manipulated into completing a series of tasks that ended in suicide—often streamed live. Originating in Russia and spreading globally, it showed how online communities can become deadly cults, especially when anonymity and manipulation are involved.

6. The Thai Father Who Killed His Child on Facebook Live – 2017

In a deeply disturbing act, Wuttisan Wongtalay from Thailand livestreamed himself hanging his 11-month-old daughter before taking his own life. The video was viewable for nearly 24 hours before being removed. It forced Facebook to reevaluate how quickly it responds to live crime and suicide videos, triggering global outrage.

5. The U.S. Capitol Riot Livestreams – January 6, 2021

As rioters stormed the Capitol, many of them proudly streamed the chaos, violence, and destruction. Some went live on Facebook, Instagram, or Parler—incriminating themselves in the process. Their need to document and brag about their illegal actions online ultimately helped federal authorities track them down.

4. The Livestreamed Kidnapping in Chicago – 2017

A group of teenagers kidnapped a mentally disabled man, tied him up, and tortured him while live on Facebook. They shouted racist remarks and physically assaulted him, all while viewers watched in real-time. The shocking footage led to national media coverage and felony charges for the teens involved.

3. The Twitch Shooting – Buffalo, New York, 2022

Payton Gendron, an 18-year-old white supremacist, opened fire in a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood—streaming the massacre on Twitch. Ten people were killed. He had written a racist manifesto and carefully planned the shooting for maximum exposure. Twitch shut down the feed within minutes, but the damage was already done.

2. Brazilian Woman’s Murder Caught on TikTok Live – 2023

A rising TikTok influencer was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend while on livestream. Her fans initially thought it was a stunt—until the blood and screams proved it wasn’t. The horrifying nature of the crime left followers traumatized and renewed calls for real-time moderation on social platforms.

1. The Ukrainian Teen’s Livestreamed Suicide – 2016

In one of the earliest and most heartbreaking examples, a 16-year-old girl named Liza streamed her own suicide from a rooftop in Ukraine. Thousands watched as she explained her despair and trauma. Many viewers begged her to stop—others mocked or encouraged her. It was a wake-up call about the dark side of live video and online anonymity.

These stories aren't just about crime—they're about the changing face of human behavior in the age of instant broadcasting. Livestreaming has blurred the line between reality and performance, turning real-life horror into public spectacle. And often, the worst moments are watched by hundreds or thousands, helpless to intervene.

The question isn’t just “Why did they do it?” It’s “Why did they want us to watch?”

In the digital coliseum, some seek validation, fame, or power—even through darkness. And as long as cameras keep rolling, the internet remains a stage where even the most twisted acts can find an audience