The popular TikToker was reportedly shot by a man who had reached out to her online
A young TikTok star has been tragically killed after allegedly being shot by a 22-year-old man who was said to be 'rejected' by her.
Sana Yousaf, who had gained over a million followers on social media, had only recently celebrated her 17th birthday when she was shot and killed inside her home in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on Monday, June 2.
According to CBS News, local police confirmed her death the following day, Tuesday. Authorities also revealed that the suspect had reportedly spent several hours loitering outside her residence before the brutal incident occurred. He has since been arrested in connection with what police are describing as a 'gruesome' murder.
During a press briefing, Islamabad’s police chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi stated that the 22-year-old suspect had been rejected by Sana on multiple occasions. The man was arrested less than a day after her passing.
Rizvi explained: "It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again."
He continued by describing the crime as: "It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder."
Sana had made a name for herself as a popular digital content creator, especially on TikTok where she had attracted more than 800,000 fans. She posted everything from fun lip-sync videos to helpful skincare routines, beauty tips, and outfit inspiration.
Her content wasn’t just about products or cars. It also captured lighthearted moments with her friends—laughing, enjoying pizza, and sharing inside jokes with her followers who adored her cheerful personality.
Heartbreakingly, the final video she posted showed her joyfully celebrating her 17th birthday. She was smiling while cutting her cake beneath a pink balloon arch. That post went up just a few short hours before her untimely death.
Many heartbroken fans flooded the comment section of that birthday video, expressing their grief and sadness. Messages like “Rest in Peace” and “Justice for Sana” were seen throughout the comments.
One emotional fan wrote: "This is so awful. A literal 17 year old with so much innocence, killed for what?"
Another added in disbelief: "Can't believe this." followed by the simple, heartfelt message: "May her soul rest in peace."
A third person heartbreakingly commented: "Nobody is safe in this country! This is so heartbreaking!!"
This devastating event is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of violence against women and girls in Pakistan. In fact, a recent study reported that over 24,000 cases of abductions and kidnappings took place across the country last year alone.
The same research also revealed more than 2,000 incidents of domestic abuse, over 500 so-called 'honor killings,' and more than 5,000 reported rapes. Despite the staggering numbers, conviction rates for these crimes remain shockingly low, reportedly under two percent for each category.
According to data from UNFPA Pakistan, nearly 28 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have suffered physical abuse. Six percent have endured sexual violence, while 34 percent of married women reported experiencing some form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from their husbands.
Unfortunately, cases where women face violence after turning down marriage proposals or romantic advances are not uncommon in Pakistan. CBS News has highlighted this disturbing pattern.