Liberal Forum

Here's How A False Conspiracy Theory About The Texas Shooter Being Antifa Went Viral

Tweets with false reporting, a doctored screenshot, and a boost from Google.

A gunman opened fire inside the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, killing 26 people and leaving dozens of others injured.

As initial information about the shooting was reported, not much was immediately known about the suspect, who authorities later identified as 26-year-old Devin P. Kelley.

On Monday, authorities said the shooting was the result of a "domestic situation," and that Kelley had sent "threatening texts" to his mother-in-law, who attended the church where the shooting took place.

But by the time news of the actual motivations of the shooter were shared by authorities, a false narrative had already taken hold thanks to right-wing commentators, websites, YouTubers, and other sources.

With no evidence to back up their claims, they peddled a conspiracy theory that Kelley was affiliated with "antifa."

Here's how it spread.