In my opinion Mitchell did exactly that.

“My wife found two different places online [that] Apollo Legend is dead. If it’s true, I will not shed a tear. I will try not to smile or giggle. No promises,” Mitchell said in a text. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/video-game-champion-regrets-jokes-about-death-rumour-20240917-p5kbd9.html

Just like they would never attack Ukraine…