Seven people died in a mass shooting in a Chicago suburb on Independence Day. Police said they believe the shooter was dressed in women’s clothing to conceal his identity and help him during his escape. But some social media users are claiming, with no evidence, that he is transgender.
Stories by Saranac Hale Spencer
Fabricated Fourth of July Tweet Was Not from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Herbal Recipes for Abortion Are Unproven and Can Be Dangerous, Contrary to Social Media Posts
Satirical Amendment Cited in False Claims About Kentucky Abortion Law
The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, allowing laws banning abortion in several states, including Kentucky, to take effect. But social media posts falsely claim Kentucky is considering a law requiring all women of childbearing age to undergo monthly pregnancy testing. The claim stemmed from a lawmaker’s satirical amendment.
Website Peddles Old, Debunked Falsehood About COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines
Kansas Cattle Died After Unusual Heat Wave, Contrary to Baseless Claims Online
Posts Baselessly Link Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome to COVID-19 Vaccines
Illinois School District’s Shift to Equitable Grading Is Misrepresented Online
A school district in Illinois is considering implementing “equitable grading,” which would focus more on evaluating student learning than class participation or homework. A conservative website misrepresented the idea as a “race-based grading system” in a story that went viral. The equitable grading system would apply to all students.
Tactical Unit, Not Off-Duty Officer, Killed Uvalde Gunman
Jacob Albarado, who has been described in media reports as an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer, helped students escape the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24. But online rumors falsely claim he was the CBP officer who killed the shooter. Albarado has said in interviews, “I didn’t shoot the guy.”
Social Media Posts Make Baseless Claims About Gender Identity of Uvalde Shooter
Police are still investigating the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, but as of May 26 they had shared no evidence about the shooter’s gender identity. Despite that lack of evidence, Rep. Paul Gosar and others claimed the gunman was transgender. Social media posts making the baseless claim have shared photos of a person unrelated to the attack.