Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
Tweet by news outlet WSMV 4 quoting the father of one of the Nashville shooting victims, vowing to fight “with every fiber” of his being “for the end of the trans evil.”
Fact
News outlet clarified that the viral image is fake, and that it did not tweet any such comment by victim’s father.
The mass shooting at an elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee, earlier this week has caused a storm on social media, with tributes, shock, and anger flooding timelines. One of the main points of conversation online however, was on the reports identifying the Nashville assailant as a trans person, with many crying out against growing “trans terrorism.”
Several Twitter users, including the US lawmakers, were prompt to criticise and target the entire trans community for the death of six people in the Nashville shooting. Others shared collages showing unverified photographs of trans people who they say were involved in such incidents previously.
Such tweets can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
In this background, a screenshot of a purported tweet by WSMV4, quoting the father of a girl who was killed in the shooting, vowing to fight against “trans evil”, is being widely shared.
The full text of the alleged tweet by WSMV4 stated, “Father of murderer girl, 9, at Covenant school shooting, calls for “an end to tolerance” in family statement to the press, vowing “to fight with every fiber of my being for the end of the trans evil. The evil that took my daughter. There must be a solution to this evil in America.(sic)”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: In Wake Of Recent Nashville Tragedy, Old Sam Hyde Meme Revived With A Twist
Fact Check/ Verification
We noticed that the tweet was poorly written and had grammatical and spelling errors. Instead of the father of a 9-year-old “murdered girl,” the tweet attributes the quote to “father of murderer girl,” raising our doubts.
We then conducted a keyword search for “Nashville shooting victim father vows trans evil,” which did not yield any relevant results either on Google or the official website of the WSMV4.
Following this, we skimmed through the official Twitter handle of WSMV4 (@WSMV), but could not find any such tweet. An advanced search for the quote allegedly by the Nashville victim’s father did not yield anything either.
Also Read: AI-Generated Image Of Pope Francis In ‘Balenciaga Jacket’ Baffles Social Media
We also noticed that while the official Twitter handle of the WSMV4 has a square display image, the viral image shows the display picture in a circular thumbnail. Notably, Twitter had introduced square profile pictures for companies and brands on the platforms last year.
Newschecker then found a tweet dated March 29, 2023, where WSMV4 clarified that the viral screengrab was “fake.” Sharing the viral image, the handle stated, “This Tweet is fake. WSMV4 did not post this.”
Conclusion
Viral image of a tweet by WSMV4 quoting the father of one of the Nashville shooting victims, vowing to fight and end “trans evil,” is fabricated.
Result: False
Sources
Official Website Of WSMV 4
Tweet By @WSMV, Dated March 29, 2023
Self Analysis
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
