Sam Pepper still knows how to upset people.
Just one year after the British YouTube star came under fire for his "Fake Hand Ass Pinch Prank" (in which he pinched women's butts), the 25-year-old is attracting new attention -- once again in the form of backlash on social media and from fellow creators. This time, for his video titled "KILLING BEST FRIEND PRANK," which features Pepper pranking Vine star Sam Golbach with help from fellow Viner Colby Brock.
Warning: The video (above) shows the pranksters essentially kidnapping Golbach, throwing him into the trunk of a car, taking him to a rooftop and making him believe that Brock is being executed in front of him. Golbach screams in terror throughout the ordeal, though he later appears to say that he's OK.
Just made a SAM'which @sam_golbach @colby_brock A photo posted by Sam Pepper (@itssampepper) on Nov 30, 2015 at 3:40pm PST
"Let's see how he [Golbach] reacts to his best friend of five years being killed in front of him," Pepper says while introducing the prank.
A Change.org petition compelling YouTube to delete Pepper's channel or at least take down the video has already collected more than 130,000 signatures, including from other prominent creators like Hannah Hart, Andrea Russett and Sam Pottorff.
Pepper, who has more than 2 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, first rose to fame after appearing in the UK version of reality show Big Brother in 2011.
He made headlines, however, after receiving several sexual assault accusations. He was even banned from the Anaheim-based online video conference VidCon.
Initially, Pepper seemed to think his fans liked his latest video, and even posted the video twice on Twitter.
Glad you guys like the new prank! lots more to come, weekly uploads starting at Xmas! ( https://t.co/PkEY9YdeUs )— Sam Pepper (@sampepper) November 29, 2015
But many -- obviously -- replied with outrage on Twitter over the disturbing video.
@sampepper nobody liked it though— Super Skunk (@ilikegordon) November 29, 2015
@sampepper I hope you don't make another one of these videos again.— stay sweet (@posichocolate) November 29, 2015
Even hacktivist collective Anonymous called on Pepper to take down the video, including a vague threat.
BULLETIN: Sam Pepper has exactly 24 hours to take down the video titled "KILLING BEST FRIEND PRANK" or he will incur the wrath of Anonymous.— TheAnonMessage (@TheAnonMessages) December 1, 2015
Still, the video, which was first uploaded Sunday, has amassed 2.8 million views as of Tuesday afternoon.
Golbach and Brock, who have 1.4 million followers on their joint Vine account, maintain they are OK with the prank.
Some people are getting the wrong idea and speaking on my behalf... -Sam pic.twitter.com/05rGAlHVUg— Sam and Colby (@SamandColby) November 30, 2015
They said the video has actually made them much closer as friends.