The mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, was a “false flag.”
Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
Highland Park shooting wasn’t a 'false flag'
If Your Time is short
- This claim is baseless. The shooting suspect has confessed, authorities said, and witnesses have told reporters what they saw.
News stories about the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, are still developing but there’s no evidence to support claims that the deadly event was a "false flag" operation staged by Democrats, as some social media posts have suggested.
"Here we go," one post said. "Folks..this is CLEARLY another op by the Dems."
"Pray against false flag events today and this month," another said. "Pray they will be stopped and exposed. Pray that the real perpetrators will be caught! #notbuyingtheirlies #falseflags #exposed."
This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
On July 6, prosecutors said the 21-year-old shooting suspect, Robert Crimo III, confessed to firing more than 80 shots from a rooftop during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Sign up for PolitiFact texts
Authorities had released the names of seven shooting victims by then. Other people were injured, and reporters have talked to witnesses who survived the attack.
Dr. David Baum, who was at the parade and helped treat people who were injured in the shooting, told NBC Chicago that he saw several people shot.
Featured Fact-check
"The bodies that I saw, it was not an image that anyone who’s not a physician would have an easy time processing," Baum said.
Gabriella Martinez, who said she saw the gunman on a rooftop, initially thought the gunshots were fireworks.
"Then literally one second (later) we all started getting into a panic mode," she said.
Claims that this shooting was staged or a "false flag" event is wrong. We rate it Pants on Fire.
Our Sources
Facebook post, July 4, 2022
Facebook post, July 4, 2022
Chicago Sun Times, Highland Park mass shooting suspect has confessed to July 4 attack, drove to Wisconsin with plans to shoot more people, prosecutors say, July 6, 2022
NBC Chicago, Highland Park Heroes: Witnesses Recount Moments Gunfire Erupted at Parade Shooting, July 5, 2022
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
Highland Park shooting wasn’t a 'false flag'
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.