Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The shooting that stained the Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City on Feb. 14 sowed chaos as thousands fled in terror and police searched for the unknown assailants. The incident took place in the heart of the city, where football fans had gathered to celebrate their team’s victory.
Seeking Answers Amidst Chaos
Accurate information was sparse in the immediate aftermath, as it often is after mass shootings, and people were seeking answers from any trusted source. Tim Burchett, the Republican congressman representing East Tennessee, waded into the confusion to offer some information through his social media account.
False Information Spreads
What Burchett shared, however, was demonstrably false. Police ultimately detained three juveniles on suspicion they fired the shots that killed one woman and left 22 people injured. Despite this, misinformation began to spread.
Not arrested? Denton Loudermill, a Kansas City-area native who was briefly detained because he was drunk in public. He was eventually released, and police never suspected he was connected to the shooting.
False Accusations and Misinformation
Nonetheless, Burchett posted a photo on social media that falsely claimed Loudermill was an illegal immigrant who committed the shooting. The false accusation gained traction online, leading to threats against Loudermill’s life.
“Mr. Denton has received death threats over a lie, over misinformation,” his attorney told local news. “He didn’t do anything wrong. He did not commit a crime. So please, run, tell that. Get the truth out there. Help us clear his name. Help us save his life.”
Clearing the Air
Knox News reached out to Burchett to ask about the false post, and he responded by taking it down. Despite the misinformation, Loudermill continues to face repercussions from the false accusations.
Burchett’s false post also had a context advisory for readers to provide them with more accurate information about the events in Kansas City.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe
.