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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Video showing the killing of Goldy Brar in the United States.
Fact
Video of a 2023 shootout in New Orleans. US Police have denied the reports of the killing of Brar.
Social media platforms were taken by a storm on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, when reports of gangster Goldy Brar being gunned down in the US surfaced online. Soon after, multiple X and Facebook users shared a video of a shootout claiming to show the killing of Goldy Brar.
In the video, an armed man can be seen getting out of a car, opening fire at a house and fleeing, while there is retaliatory fire from within the house. Newschecker found the video to be unrelated and the claim to be untrue.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here, and here.
Brar is considered to be the mastermind behind the Sidhu Moose Wala murder that happened in 2022. Earlier this year, the gangster was declared a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Reportedly, “The government said the move came over his involvement in smuggling of high-grade arms, ammunition and explosives through drones from across the border for carrying out killings in India.”
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to the official YouTube channel of WDSU News – an outlet covering southeast Louisiana. The viral footage was uploaded to the channel on July 31, 2023 to show “two women shot on Industry Street after gunmen open fire.”
We also found a report by WWLTV, dated July 31, 2023, carrying snippets from the viral video shared to show a deadly attack on gangster Goldy Brar. It stated, “Stunning video of a shootout that left two women injured Sunday was making its way on social media and New Orleans web sites and police are asking for assistance in finding the suspects and the vehicle involved.”
Adding, “The shooting on Industry Street in New Orleans shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday left a 76-year-old woman and a 36-year-old woman injured.”
A video report by WVUE FOX 8 New Orleans, dated August 1, 2023, on the Seventh Ward shootout that injured two women, also featured the viral footage.
US Police Deny Goldy Brar’s Murder Reports
Reportedly, two men were shot in Fairmont and Holt Avenue in Fresno, California following a fight. As per the police, one of them later died in the hospital. Following which reports of the death of Goldy Brar surfaced.
The Fresno police has, however, dismissed the reports of murder of Brar. In response to a query by IANS, Lieutenant William J. Dooley said, “If you are inquiring because of the online chatter claiming that the shooting victim is ‘Goldy Brar’, we can confirm that this is absolutely not true.”
We also found an update from the Fresno Police on the recent shootout at the Fairmont and Holt Avenue. The police identified the deceased in the shootout as 37-year-old Xavier Gladney.
Newschecker could not independently verify whether Goldy Brar has been killed or not.
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that a nearly one-year-old video of a shootout in US’ New Orleans has been falsely shared to show the alleged murder of Goldy Brar. The US police has also denied the reports of Brar being killed in a recent shootout.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By WDSU News, Dated July 31, 2023
Report By WWLTV, Dated July 31, 2023
YouTube Video By WVUE FOX 8 New Orleans, Dated August 1, 2023
Report By NDTV, Dated May 2, 2024
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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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
