FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show An Alleged Axe Attack By A Transgender Woman In The U.S. In 2023?
A video shared on Facebook purports to show a transgender woman allegedly attacking customers with an axe inside a 7-Eleven in the U.S. in 2023.
Screenshot captured via Facebook
Verdict: False
The attack occurred inside a 7-Eleven in Sydney, Australia in January 2017, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The outlet identified the suspect as Evie Amati, a transgender woman.
Fact Check:
Members of the LGBTQ community protested an emergency rule that would restrict hormone therapies and surgeries in Missouri, according to local outlet, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In addition, the Missouri House voted Tuesday to bar transgender women and girls from playing on the same sports teams as biological women and girls, The Associated Press reported.
“Transgender in 7-11 let’s [sic] loose on two customers with an ax. Tell me America doesn’t have a mental health crisis spiraling out of control…,” the Facebook video purports. In the video, a blonde-haired individual can be seen striking two customers with the axe.
The claim is false. Check Your Fact found no credible news reports about an axe attack involving a transgender woman inside a 7-Eleven in the U.S. in 2023. Likewise, 7-Eleven’s Corporate Franchising has not commented on the claim via a press release or a statement published to its verified social media accounts. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice has not publicly addressed the claim.
The attack occurred inside a 7-Eleven in Sydney, Australia in January 2017, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The outlet identified the suspect as Evie Amati, a transgender woman. (RELATED: Did A Transgender MMA Fighter Fracture Their Opponent’s Skull?)
Amati injured two customers, Ben Rimmer and Sharon Hacker, inside the 7-Eleven during the attack. Amati also swung the axe at a third individual on the street after exiting the store, the outlet reported. The third individual, identified as Shane Redwood, managed to run away unharmed.
Amati said their mental health deteriorated as a result of taking hormones during gender transition, according to the outlet.
Amati was originally sentenced to nine years in prison for the incident, but their sentence was increased another five years, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported in 2019.
Check Your Fact has contacted Australia’s NSW Police Force for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
