FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show The Suspect In The Recent Georgia Shooting?
A post shared on social media purportedly shows an image of the suspect in the recent Georgia school shooting.
#BREAKING : First Photo of Active Shooter at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.#ApalacheeHighSchool #Shooting #ActiveShooter #BarrowCounty #Georgia #BarrowCountySheriff pic.twitter.com/LywMGMN3vN
— upuknews (@upuknews1) September 4, 2024
Verdict: False
The image appeared in a 2022 police training from Oklahoma.
Fact Check:
A shooting occurred recently in Apalachee High School Georgia that was carried out by a 14-year-old, The New York Times reported. The report that four died and the perpetrator will be tried as an adult.
A post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, shows a photo of an armed hooded suspect. The post also featured a breaking news announcement.
The caption reads, “First Photo of Active Shooter at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.”
The claim is inaccurate. The image appeared in a 2022 police training from Oklahoma. Indiana State Police Information Channel also used the image in a 2016 YouTube video that was meant to prepare people for an In-School Active Shooter Event.
PBS also shared the image alongside a list of indicators for community members to look out for in case of a shooting. The suspect, Colt Gray, is alive and in custody, according to CNN. (RELATED: Facebook Post Falsely Claims An African Immigrant Recently Stabbed A Police Officer In Manchester, U.K.)
This is not the first time misinformation has circulated online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim U.K. police arrested an 11-year-old for posting “mean tweets.”