An online friend of YouTuber Randy Stair has recalled a disturbing 2016 video in which Stair graphically threatened her. Less than a year later, Stair carried out a workplace shooting at a Pennsylvania supermarket, killing three co-workers before taking his own life.
The case is featured in the Investigation Discovery (ID) series "Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders," with an episode titled "Enter the Ghost World" examining Stair's online activity and the warning signs preceding the attack.
In April 2016, Stair uploaded a video titled "A Promise Kept." According to mutual friends, the video contained graphic threats directed at Sammy, an online acquaintance with whom Stair had communicated since she was about 12 years old. In the video, Stair detailed his intention to kill her.
Sammy stated that the video depicted an animated "Teenage Girl Missing" poster bearing a drawing resembling her. The video concluded with Stair, portrayed as Ember McLain from "Danny Phantom," holding what appeared to be Sammy's severed head. "You're gonna pay for what you did to me," Stair was heard saying in the video. "Mark my words ... You're not safe. ... You were once a sweet little girl in my eyes. But that was very short-lived. Just like your very existence."
The video prompted Sammy to end all contact with Stair. "I blocked him for the last time after he released that video about me," she told Fox News Digital. "I don't want to say it was almost like a betrayal, but I couldn't believe someone so friendly with me, someone who was so close to me, could make something so personal and upload it publicly."
Stair began his YouTube channel, PioneersProductions, around 2008. Initially, his content consisted of sketch comedy and short films. Sammy, who discovered the channel as a fan, began communicating with Stair online when he was about 21. She described their early interactions as friendly, centered on YouTube videos and shared interests, and she viewed him as a "big brother."
As Stair's audience grew, his videos began to include more personal content. The episode describes Stair as an introvert who appeared awkward in person. Sammy noted that edited media, like YouTube videos, allowed Stair to express himself more easily than he could in real life, giving him multiple takes to achieve his desired outcome.
Over time, Stair's videos took a darker turn, replacing earlier sketch comedies with melancholy short films and bleak monologues. A video titled "Extinction Series Finale" depicted the violent end of recurring characters, with Stair shown stabbing them.
Sammy observed a change in Stair's demeanor, noting he became more distant and less active on social media. He also alluded to suicidal ideation, though he would often reassure friends that he would not act on such thoughts.
His social media posts became increasingly erratic, with some tweets deleted shortly after posting, often expressing feelings of being lost but followed by reassurances that he was okay.
Around 2013, Stair developed an intense fixation on the character Ember McLain, creating an animated series inspired by her and filling journals with writings about joining McLain in the afterlife. Sammy noted that this fixation increasingly defined Stair's online identity, though she could not pinpoint the exact reason for his attraction to the character.
Sammy also recalled discussions about Stair's job at Weis Markets, where he expressed dissatisfaction but did not exhibit anger or hatred towards it. He advised Sammy against pursuing a career in retail.
On June 8, 2017, Stair brought two shotguns to the Weis Markets store where he worked and blocked the entrances and exits. He fired 59 shots, killing co-workers Terry Sterling, 63; Victoria Brong, 25; and Brian Hayes, 47. A fourth co-worker escaped unharmed and alerted authorities. Stair then died by suicide.
Pennsylvania State Police investigated the incident. Wyoming County District Attorney Jeff Mitchell noted that Stair's online history included praise for the Columbine High School shooters and expressions of deep frustration with the world.
Reflecting on the events, Sammy expressed lingering guilt, wishing she had spoken up more about the signs she observed. "Looking back on it now, there were signs he was in decline," she said. Her current goal in sharing her story is to encourage vigilance and prompt people to seek help when they notice concerning changes in behavior.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).