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www.vampirefreaks.com - Is this Site a Killer?
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by Leonard Brody | September 14, 2006 at 08:51 pm
58240 views | 2 Recommendations | 117 comments
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A Web site used by the gunman who killed one and wounded 19 at a Montreal college had surfaced in other violent Canadian incidents, including one in which an Alberta girl allegedly killed her family in April.The black and purple Web site, www.vampirefreaks.com, is described by its Brooklyn, New York-based founder as a "goth/industrial" site.
The site was available intermittently on Thursday, a day after Kimveer Gill, 25, was killed by police after he went on a shooting rampage at Montreal's Dawson College. Gill posted photographs and comments on the site, saying he loved guns and hated people.
"This is not the first time that the vampirefreaks Web site has been in the news," said Jesse Hirsh, president of technology services firm Openflows Networks Ltd. in Toronto.
In a Toronto trial last year, the girlfriend of a youth accused of killing his younger brother and attempting to kill his stepfather was revealed to have had a profile and pictures on the site.
A 23-year old man and his 12-year-old girlfriend, accused of killing a woman, her husband and their eight-year-old son in Medicine Hat, Alberta, last April, were also reported to have had profiles on vampirefreaks.com.
Started by a Brooklyn resident, the site claims to have more than 600,000 members and millions of page views each day.
Users can post pictures along with their likes, dislikes, favorite music and location, and communicate with others in "cults" or groups.
The Goth sub-culture is often characterized by black clothing, pale makeup and body piercing. Many write about being alienated from society, and while musical tastes vary, shock rockers such as Marilyn Manson are said to be popular.
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at 01:19 on September 16th, 2006
Vampire freaks isn't what you think.
The people who kill are
those that are psychotic, have been tormented by the jocks, snobs, punk
rockers, society and much much more. It's not just one, there's people like such everywhere.
If you have ever talked to a
majority of the users, you can see that they are all sincere and nice
people, I for one am one of those people.
I make many friends
on this site and, of course, there are those perverts, pedophiles,
psychos and many other that are on this site and many others, it just
so happens that vampirefreaks its pretty popular, just like myspace. Of
course they are going to be accused of such nonsense.
I have
been a VF member for more than a year. Not once did they ever support
me into commiting suicide or killing another, or harming an animal.
There
are many vegans on this site also, peta supporters, those who care
about animals, and could never kill another, or harm another person.
And
mostly the reason these people are not very social with others is
because of their inaccapability to communicate with others. Such as
myself I am not very good at being social with the other people in the
society.
Some of those 'goth' culture people take it the wrong
way, AKA the psychos, those who enjoy violence, etc. Tons of people
enjoy violence. In every stereotype there are bad people, every race,
every site. The majority of the community is just blinded by the lies
from the media.
As my grandfather said, "If we were all the same we'd all drive a blue SUV"
I'm
not sure about the car, but it's something around there, seeing as I
never knew my grandfather, but the point of this quote is, we are not
all the same. Just because a few people whom are on vampirefreaks, whom
probably have many profiles on different sites also, doesn't mean they
are all the same.
at 05:48 on September 15th, 2008
I totally agree! I have a VF as well and I'm nothing like those people. People just seem to want a reason for the actions other people make; it's quite pathetic. I can't really say anything else because you said it all!
at 18:10 on July 18th, 2009
Hey..um i'm frm india,in da northeast part.
..i am a big fan of u vf guys n gals. ..not da goth ones da emo ones....he2. ..bt i cant join due 2 my studies (cant even hav a long hair) all i wanna say is i have a big big huge crush on Meeboo
at 08:40 on December 16th, 2008
I totally agree, that site is really cool, alota ppl r like well its because there gothic an put ppl in lables wich is bs in my opinion, most ppl now adays wil try to be every1 else like sheep instead of being themselves, thats why most ppl think or are just in 1 group under a sertin lable. if every1 would just be who they r an not be a copy cat of others an learn to live with the diversityu in the world, thats just sum of how i feel
at 11:57 on February 4th, 2009
yea exactly theres a lot of wierd sites out there and vampierfreask isnt one of them. Oh yea soo your saying killers dont have myspaces either right??
at 09:50 on June 13th, 2009
This is just plain stupid. You can find people who are crazy like the psychos in this article every where. on myspace and facebook too.
at 19:15 on July 20th, 2009
ROFL. The news people are so stupid. They freak out about everything. Not all goths are bad or wear black all the time. And further more they don't care at all about our society so they need to butt out.
at 12:07 on September 16th, 2006
Wouldn't suggest for a minute that this is the site's fault. But the question does arise as to whether or not enough clues were left there that they should have taken action.
at 05:34 on March 16th, 2008
To tell the truth! The only ones who can really do anything, are the people who witness any suggestive comments. I doubt otherwise, something could have actually been done. Not to mention the amount of empty threats, pranksters, and mere jokes between friends that would possess the exact same, and even worse, sort of banter. And NOWHERE, does it say that people on the site were AWARE of these “killers’” intentions.
at 15:26 on April 13th, 2009
Although i can quite clearly see where the writer is coming from...
the site doesn't promote or encourage in anyway violance, murder, or scuicide...
however, some people create these "cults" that may encourage it...
these are other "psychos" as it has been put, i myself have a VF account and havn't once met anyone that i thought was truely insane. i have met a fair few people on VF now and i can safely say every one of them is atleast a remotally pleasant person
at 14:36 on April 14th, 2009
Its a shame, but people do act or make comment like that alot, on every site, a very small number of them are real, most are just teenage angst, some turn into murder, but it's hard to tell the difference, especially over the net
at 15:57 on September 21st, 2006
VampireFreaks is basically My Space for Goths. I have been a member for little over the year and there is no indication that it is used to promote violence. It is just a site for people to meet and exchange ideas and view points on music, literature, music, etc. it is not even limited to Goths only. Anyone can come and share thier ideas if they feel the site meets their interests. We do not promote violece, despite the name of our site. I may be young, but I still know wheter I'm involved with something that promotes criminal acts and if it gets to that point, I always leave. People may criticize VampireFreaks, but they are merely putting the blame of people's actions on those that don't deserve it. There are worst things that are right in our very schools. I am witnessing that the adolescents, as far as my school is concernedm fight almost every single day amongst each other. So if VampireFreaks is going to be blamed wholly on this violent act, then blame our entire society! No establishment is innocent.
at 14:06 on December 26th, 2008
Bla.
at 11:48 on January 4th, 2007
I find it surprising that someone with such a knack for writing, who writes openly on line, would have such a terribly closed mind. Vampirefreaks.com is no more at blame for the terribly gruesome things that took place than is Google.com, yahoo.com, myspace.com, or really, any website that promotes contact between its users through web mail, forums or chat rooms.
To classify the Goth style with murderous rampages is simply people looking for en excuse. People will blame any possible outlet when tragedy strikes.
I suppose I would classify myself as “Goth”. I’m your average, every day white collar worker, who has worked in law firms, sales positions, and am currently in the process of starting up my own business. I just happen to like y own kinds of fashion, and frequent the gothic industrial night club. So does that mean I am a murderer? No. Just as you are not, even though you write online as well.
Perhaps it would be better for everyone if people took a step back from what they see and hear and focus on what is really there.
I am terribly disappointed in what I have read about this site, which I frequent myself, and the blame being put on it without just cause.
~Mana-Rayne V. Ash
at 19:50 on January 9th, 2007
Just to be clear folks...I didnt' right this story, I just posted it from its original source. Interesting discussion though.
at 12:59 on January 31st, 2007
This is absolutely ridiculous. I'm 15, and I'm probably more open minded than whoever wrote that article. I'm sure that a lot of killers use things like msn instant messenger, however, due to the fact that society seems to be afraid of the gothic culture, vampirefreaks.com gets more attention for it and people will assume it's related. Believe it or not, the gothic culture doesn't necessarily represent satan anymore, as it's become more of a fashion statement now. I've been on the site for a couple of years atleast, and in no way has it made me feel that I need to kill someone. Whoever wrote this article is seriously prejudiced and needs to catch up on modern day fashions. I wouldn't even consider myself as a goth, yet I'm saying this. Society always needs someone or something to blame for the mistakes that are made and why people would do things such as murder someone, so they jump to the easiest conclusion they can.
at 16:59 on July 1st, 2007
OK...THIS IS ONE THING THAT REALLLY MAKES ME MAD, THE SITE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO PREVOKE THESE PEOPLE, AND WE ARE NOT A "SUB CULTURE" WE THRIVE IN THE WORLD..DONT TREAT IS LIKE ...MUST WATCH MY LANGUAGE... CRAP.., SO..JUST SAYING..YOU PEOPLE ONLY JUDGE BY WHAT PEOPLE LOOK LIKE, OR WHAT THEY LISTEN TO...TALK LIKE..ETC...YOU HAVE TO JUDGE PEOPLE BY THEIR ACTIONS..MOST OF US..WELL...WE AREN'T PIECE OF.....CRAP PEOPLE, WE ARE FOR THE MOST PART REALLY KIND PEOPLE..AND WE ARE USUALLY LIKE THIS BECAUSE PEOPLE BOSS US AROUND CONSTANTLY AND WRONGLY JUDGE US LIKE YOU MOTHER... IDIOTS ARE, SO F...NO..... GO AWAY....you people don't understand..such closed minded, self centered, egotistical, moroding band of MORONS i have ever seen, blaming the site....i realllly dont think he left enough clues...my handle is "PsychopathicFreak666" but..does that mean that im gunna go out and murder every1 in site? NO!!! id die for my friends...and many strangers, before id ever even CONSIDER killing someone around, the Gothic culture..once again NOT SUBCULTURE, WE ARE NOT BARBARIANS!!!!, is not out to kill every1, we are not stereotyped by one person who was a moron, and killed our reputatoin even more..so go.. away, leave us alone, if we ever noticed something obvious...we would report it..OMFG WE AREN'T STUPID..(most of us at least)
at 05:05 on October 15th, 2008
i agree with you ur so right im not emo or gothic or anything im just me and i just wanted to try vf and theres nothin wrong with it i have no prob with plp lookin different or acting diff why cant plp think like that well just wanted to tell you thanx for steppin up 4 wat u believe in
at 07:48 on February 12th, 2009
at 09:37 on March 18th, 2009
i agree. with you. the site doesnt kill. and the site doesnt provoke
at 17:15 on October 29th, 2007
Myspace provokes rapes,
and other things of others sorts
VF has had only 2 probloms that most are aware of...
though myspace has had 10000xxx many probloms that many are aware of..
whats who bad about vf
compaired to myspace
deaths are deaths we all die yes?
but the thing is..
websites are websites,
i think people take things to seriously weather its over the net,
people take things to personaly,
what those people did was on their own time,
myspace would easily creat the same probloms,
at 03:44 on December 28th, 2008
Its not a comparrison here about myspace and VF, both are very different with a very different culture and people. Those sites don't have problems like you describe them, those people are the same in real life and should not be blamed on those websites or communities also not for "people encouraging them", which unfortunally can't be denied in some cases but thats the same in real life and not fair to state that simply put "VF people encourage that behavior".
at 21:30 on November 30th, 2007
Here we go again with the gothic/industrial things. For example Marilyn Manson was blame for a kid committing suicide and he was blamed for the Columbine shooting. (That's what this reminded me of). To me it is like they are saying that Vampirefreaks promotes it and encourages it. I mean come on. There are millions of profiles on there. The person hosting the site isn't going to go through every single profile and make sure there is nothing illegal or innapropriate on there. I mean yeah there are some wrong-doers on there but I mean they can't just blame the site for them posting pictures and writing things and stuff because well...the people who did it are idiots. They also shouldn't blame the site because it's the people who did its fault. There are all kinds of stupid people, and psychos out there unfortunately some are combined...people who post pictures of the people they killed or anything like that are an example of stupid people and psychos combined. They are stupid for posting the pictures up there and they are psycho for killing the people.
I have a strong opinion about things like this. It gets to me. I don't agree with this story at all.
-Sammy-
at 22:18 on November 30th, 2007
You know what anyone who blames a website for the shit people do is stupid. plus Vampire freaks has some really preppy ass people on it any way so your telling me that there gonna do this shit to get a life and stop blaming websites for peoples sick minds. you can put myspace up there it its ten times worst how many people have gotten raped killed and committed suicide over stupid stuff on myspace. dont blame it on the website blame it on the sick stupid lunitic who did it. i can say i hate people yea so what i hate people, people in general suck boo hoo im not gonna go kill and or rape somebody over it. stop over analizing stuff and get to the point heres the point people who do this stuff have problems. just because im a sadist doesnt mean im gonna go hurt somebody for my on pleasure i just watch them hurt them self from far away and laugh its funny but if someone really hurts them self ill go help um out. booo hoo my vampire freak profile says i love guns i like shooting things and i absolutely hate preps yet im on the same teams with them at school and we get along i dont like um doesnt mean im gonna go shoot them with a gun doesnt mean im gonna stab umm just means i really dislike them. i go on vampire freak and im not even goth i im like a black punk (but not really cause im just strange) kid. any one who takes shit seriously about sterotypes is stupid cause to people on a good day im punk on a sad day im emo and on a bad day im goth and when i win for the stupid volley ball team im normal get over you stupid sterotypes and shove um up your butts.
at 15:16 on January 13th, 2008
My partner, My daughter, Myself and several family members are members of vampirefreaks.com and i can safely say we havent murdered anyone yet! Millions of people have internet access and vampirefreaks.com is an online community that connects people with the same interests in music. Sadly there are sick people in the world that murder others, sadly some of them have internet access and join vampirefreaks.com because they have similiar tastes in music as other members. Jet, who runs the site sadly isnt blessed with psychic powers and cannot tell that someone joining the site will become a murderer. There are millions of online communities and cultures full of billions of people with diverse cultures and views, so why pick on this one? Just because some murderers had accounts on the same site(have you seen how many members we have?) doesnt mean that the site is a'killer'. We dont promote murders or violence. If Fred West and Jack the Ripper were on Friends Reunited, would you blame the site? People are murderers, Not Websites. You made a reference to the online cults, in your story and people who have not visited the site probably now think we're a group of devil worshippers who brainwash people in cults. Vampirefreaks.com cults are just forums that people can join to talk to people with the same interests and where they can offer advice to one another. So far i havent seen a cult named, 'masked murderers'.Stories like these are just vicious attacks on online communities and cultures, by people who have too much spare time.
at 15:21 on March 13th, 2008
I read this after I made my post and I think we're on the same page.
"Stories like these are just vicious attacks on online communities and cultures, by people who have too much spare time."
Amen!
at 11:31 on March 13th, 2008
Isn't that kinda like saying all people are killers?
As those people were part of the human race?
I think there comes a point where you have to use common sense, ok they all used vampire freaks, but as the article says, there is a large amount of people who use the sight, and very few of those people have been involved in anything like this.
at 12:08 on March 13th, 2008
I, persoanlly having an account, think that there is messed up people in the world. Vampirefreaks is just a place were we can feel normal again. Somewere that we dont have to be outsiders because of the way we prefer to dress. Me and my current boyfriend have found Vampirefreaks as a place of peace almost. Its the facebook for us. I think that anyone who tries to pin the killings of numerous people on a website, well you can try, but your going to get complaints. I signed up to this stupid place just so i could give this author a peice of my mind. If vampirefreaks is shut down because nosey reporters are digging into the dark side, there is going to be a helluva lotta complains. So Leonard Brody, if you think that people are killing because of there websites or because of the way they dress, id think again. People like me only kill because of intimidation, we have usually had a hard child hood. Things that happened a long time ago affect us. The kkk, nazi's, old dissagreements. These arent our fault, but yet they've influenced our lives so much, that because we dress goth, were being posted for murder. Id be careful people, no one likes a nosey prick in the world or vampirefreaks.
Fuckthemainstream is also way better than suitex, or any preppy clothing sotre, it lets us scream in fashoin how we feel.
Moribids_girl, vampirefreaks member.
at 12:09 on March 13th, 2008
I, persoanlly having an account, think that there is messed up people in the world. Vampirefreaks is just a place were we can feel normal again. Somewere that we dont have to be outsiders because of the way we prefer to dress. Me and my current boyfriend have found Vampirefreaks as a place of peace almost. Its the facebook for us. I think that anyone who tries to pin the killings of numerous people on a website, well you can try, but your going to get complaints. I signed up to this stupid place just so i could give this author a peice of my mind. If vampirefreaks is shut down because nosey reporters are digging into the dark side, there is going to be a helluva lotta complains. So Leonard Brody, if you think that people are killing because of there websites or because of the way they dress, id think again. People like me only kill because of intimidation, we have usually had a hard child hood. Things that happened a long time ago affect us. The kkk, nazi's, old dissagreements. These arent our fault, but yet they've influenced our lives so much, that because we dress goth, were being posted for murder. Id be careful people, no one likes a nosey prick in the world or vampirefreaks.
Fuckthemainstream is also way better than suitex, or any preppy clothing sotre, it lets us scream in fashoin how we feel.
Moribids_girl, vampirefreaks member.
at 14:26 on March 13th, 2008
for one thing Marilyn Manson had nothing to do with anything and shouldn't even have been mentioned because he is not the 'shock' rocker that everyone thinks he is. Just listen to his new album and listen to a few interviews...or stop believeing all the rumors that have come up about him.
Another thing. My name is Amber I have had a vampirefreaks account for about 3 years now and even though you have mentioned how almost everyone dresses in black and has peircings and stuff. That is SO judgemental and you obviously haven't talked to anyone in the website. If you DID you would know that everyone on there are generally nice people. Usually I'm one of the nice one but this pissed me off. That website had nothing to do with anything that those people did. They just had one. Its just as easy for someone with a myspace to do that. The internet is like cliques in high school anyway. Vampirefreaks is for the goth/emo people...yea right.
Websites don't kill people, people kill people.