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13 Reasons Why premiere party cancelled after fatal school shooting

  • 19/05/2018

Warning: This article contains spoilers for season 2 of 13 Reasons Why

Controversial Netflix series 13 Reasons Why has cancelled the premiere party for its much-anticipated second season after a fatal school shooting.

The first season of the controversial show - which features rape, bullying, underage drinking and suicide - ended by showing student Tyler Down (played by actor Devin Druid) loading multiple firearms and weapons into a large suitcase.

During the second season, released worldwide at 7pm on Friday (NZ time), there is a storyline following Tyler where he plots a mass shooting at the school's dance. A classmate ends up convincing him to abandon the plan.

It's a tough topic to be tackled in the United States, where there have already been dozens of mass shootings this year alone.

On Friday morning (local time), 10 people were killed in Houston, Texas, when a student attacked with a shotgun and pistol. He was taken into custody and has had his first appearance in court.

Netflix cancelled the premiere party and red carpet shortly after news broke of the attack, only hours before the attendees were set to arrive.

13 Reasons Why has been the subject of much controversy after its initial release last year. Produced by actress-singer Selena Gomez, the series was criticised for targeting youths and ignoring advice around the proper handling of sensitive matters such as suicide in media.

The show stars Dylan Minnette as Clay Jensen and Katherine Langford as Hannah Baker, both of whom were expected to appear at the launch party in West Hollywood.

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