On April 3, as reports surfaced that there was an active shooter situation at YouTube headquarters in San Bruno, CA, hoaxes and other misinformation related to the incident bubbled up in right-wing circles on Twitter, 4chan, and Gab.
Here are the hoaxes and misinformation spreading about the shooter at YouTube headquarters
Published
Claims that the incident was a false flag planted by the “deep state”
“I guess the deep state wanted youtube (sic) to have a little sympathy.”
[Gab, 4/3/18]
“How loud can you say #FalseFlag?”
[Gab, 4/3/18]
“If true, it’s another psy-op … designed” to remove gun-related content from YouTube.”
[Gab, 4/3/18]
“Yet another fabrication by the Deep State.”
Hoaxes rehashing old internet memes and accusing YouTube users
Rehash of the Sam Hyde hoax:
1. The suspect is NOT SAM HYDE. This is the #1 hoax during breaking news situations. pic.twitter.com/yIA7aTAtYI
— Jane Lytvynenko 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ (@JaneLytv) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
the folks at 4chan are already doing their awful 'let's plant misinformation' thing pic.twitter.com/6Ly6CQl5vr
— Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
CNN reports that a Samantha Hyde has been arrested and taken into custody for her role in the shooting that took place at Youtube HQ. pic.twitter.com/XMICzqiHSN
— Titus of the Dreamlands (@marblemadeflesh) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
(UNCONFIRMED) Anonymous Reports are identifying the Youtube shooter as Samantha Hyde pic.twitter.com/kdc0bE8vsu
— 🇺🇸Meme America🇺🇸 (@Millenniel_Matt) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
Claim that it was “liberalist” video game YouTube live streamer Steven Bonnell II:
First Photos of the YouTube shooter being released from his social media. He was a self described radical “liberalist” YouTuber according to his own social media. #neveragain #MarchForOurLives #YoutubeShooter pic.twitter.com/QiLlOwHVGM
— Ted Cruz (Post-Autism) (@AutisticTedCruz) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
Claim that it was YouTuber Dragonlord:
3. This is German YouTuber DragonLord, not the shooter. His image spreads in almost every breaking news situation. pic.twitter.com/QVdD4LCXt7
— Jane Lytvynenko 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ (@JaneLytv) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
Claims that it was Anita Sarkeesian, the victim of online harassment originating with Gamergate:
13. This is not the suspect, it's Anita Sarkeesian. She is targeted by gamergaters a lot. pic.twitter.com/rUVrcaleAH
— Jane Lytvynenko 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ (@JaneLytv) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
Claims that shooter was Buzzfeed hoax debunker Jane Lytvynenko:
29: This is literally me. pic.twitter.com/lSCgaF49SH
— Jane Lytvynenko 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ (@JaneLytv) April 3, 2018
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
Claims that shooter’s motive was YouTube parent company Google’s “diversity” and “inclusiveness”
Gateway Pundit’s White House correspondent blamed “inclusiveness and diversity” hiring initiatives:
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
[Gab, 4/3/18]
Claims that the shooting was a response to YouTube removing firearm training content
Gateway Pundit's Lucian Wintrich:
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
Infowars reporter Millie Weaver:
[Twitter, 4/3/18]
“37 people” transported to the hospital
Newsweek tweeted that 37 people were taken to the hospital but later issued a clarification and deleted the original tweet:
Right-wing troll Laura Loomer:
[Twitter, 4/3/18]