“It’s as if everybody thinks disinformation is an issue, however not for them personally—just for different folks,” Caroline Orr, a behavioral scientist and postdoctoral researcher on the College of Maryland who tracks disinformation on-line, wrote on X, including: “When 20+ persons are murdered in a mass taking pictures, and the response of most individuals on this web site is: ‘How can I exploit this to push a political agenda?’ or ‘How can I exploit this to assault XYZ particular person?’ … that displays one thing much more disturbing.”
X, Meta, and TikTok didn’t instantly reply to WIRED’s request for remark.
At 3 am ET this morning, Lewiston Police Division confirmed on its Facebook page that Card, an authorized firearms teacher and a member of the US Military from Bowdoin, Maine, was nonetheless on the run. The division said Card “needs to be thought-about armed and harmful” and that members of the general public mustn’t method him.
Regulation enforcement believes the shooter killed at the least 16 folks and 13 extra at round 7 pm yesterday on the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and the close by Schemengees Bar and Grille. Officers stated the loss of life toll is anticipated to rise, with one local city councilor telling CNN that it may very well be as excessive as 22.
The incident was the nation’s worst mass taking pictures this 12 months, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Card, whose personal X profile was filled with conspiracy theories about trans mass shooters and pro-MAGA content material, had been dedicated to a psychological well being facility for 2 weeks earlier this 12 months after he reported “listening to voices and threats to shoot up the Nationwide Guard Base in Saco, Maine,” in line with a police bulletin circulated by legislation enforcement and reported by AP.
Notably, Card additionally preferred two posts, one from Donald Trump Jr. and one other by far-right persona Dinesh D’Souza, about their opposition to gun management.
The fast unchecked unfold of misinformation final evening and into this morning mirrored the response earlier this month when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7. Within the hours and days following the assault and the bombing of Gaza by the Israeli authorities, X was overrun by disinformation shared by verified customers, who rehashed previous footage, online game content material, and photoshopped photos to push partisan narratives.
Up to date at 10:55 am ET, October 26, 2023, to incorporate the newest casualty and wounded figures supplied by Maine governor Janet Mills throughout a press convention this morning.
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