Marine Veteran Shot Dead in Manchester Car Park by TikTok Influencer, Police Say
A former Royal Marine was tragically shot and killed in front of his fiancée and their baby son after a heated confrontation with a TikTok influencer in a Manchester shopping centre car park, police have confirmed.
Daniel Harper, 30, had been spending the day with his fiancée, Laura Evans, and their 10-month-old son on 3rd June when the family’s peaceful outing ended in violence at the Arndale Centre.
According to witnesses, the incident began when Laura was subjected to offensive comments by Justin Guzman, a 22-year-old TikTok creator, and his friend, Marko Dean, 23, while in a lift.
Harper, known by friends and family as calm, protective, and deeply devoted to his loved ones, later approached the men in the car park to defend Laura and ask for an apology.
As Harper tried to drive his family away from the situation, Guzman allegedly blocked their vehicle in by braking sharply in front of them. When Harper stepped out of his car to confront Guzman, the influencer allegedly opened fire, shooting him multiple times at close range while Laura and their baby watched in horror from inside the vehicle.
In a shocking twist, Guzman later posted a video on TikTok where he appeared to dance and laugh in front of a television news report about the shooting. The video, which was later taken down, was submitted as evidence in court by Harper’s grieving parents, both of whom are retired military veterans.
Speaking outside Manchester Crown Court this week, Laura Evans said, “Daniel survived as a Royal Marine. He survived tours abroad. But he didn’t survive a trip to the shops with his family.
He walked out of that car, driven by the need to keep us safe. And then to see someone laughing about it online — that’s something I can never forgive.”
Daniel’s father, John Harper, described the video as “unimaginable cruelty” and said his son’s life was stolen over something that should have never happened.
Greater Manchester Police arrested Guzman after he surrendered to officers on Monday, several weeks after the incident. His friend Marko Dean also turned himself in and is currently being held in custody.
Guzman’s legal team claims he acted in self-defence, alleging that Harper was armed with a knife. However, police confirmed that no weapon was found at the scene or in Harper’s vehicle.
Detective Chief Inspector Grace Holloway, who is leading the investigation, urged the public not to speculate on social media and said, “This is a tragic case that has left a family broken. We are working to ensure justice is served for Daniel and his loved ones.”
The killing has raised growing concerns about the behaviour of social media influencers and the pressures of online fame.
This is not the first time TikTok’s influence has come under scrutiny, as seen when a former TikTok employee exposed the platform’s toxic workplace culture after a sudden layoff.Local leaders have called for stricter regulations after what many see as a disturbing case of online attention-seeking spiralling into real-world violence.
Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelit vigil at the Arndale Centre to remember Harper and support his family. Community leaders and veterans’ groups have paid tribute to him as a kind, selfless man who lived for his family.
Daniel Harper’s funeral is expected to take place in the coming days. His fiancée, Laura, now left to raise their young son without him, said quietly, “We should be celebrating our son’s first birthday. Instead, I am planning Daniel’s funeral. He didn’t deserve this. None of us did.”
