Kansas Man Files Lawsuit Against Three Missouri State Senators Over False Accusations
In a surprising turn of events, a Kansas man has launched legal proceedings against three Missouri State Senators, accusing them of spreading false information that connected him to the Kansas City Chiefs Parade shooting.
The Accusation
The lawsuit against State Senators Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg, and Nick Schroer of St. Charles alleges they recklessly shared false information creating an online furor. The senators had posted images of one Denton Loudermill, a Kansas native, on the social media platform “X” formerly named “Twitter,” claiming the man in the photo was involved in a shooting incident during the Kansas City Chiefs Parade, which left one individual dead and more than 20 others injured.
The Controversy
The photo was initially shared by Congressman Tim Burchett from Tennessee, who claimed that Loudermill was in the country illegally and had participated in the tragic shooting. As it turned out, Loudermill had absolutely no connection to the incident, causing an uproar as the false information rapidly circulated online.
Senators’ Response
When questioned in February about whether they had expressed remorse for making the false statements, State Senator Brattin refused to comment. In fact, he clarified that he did not feel it necessary to issue any form of apology as they believed to have done nothing wrong. The other Senators involved have yet to respond to the allegations.
The Missouri Freedom Caucus
All three senators are part of the conservative group known as the “Missouri Freedom Caucus.” This caucus’s social media account also reposted the false news about Loudermill’s involvement in the shooting. Though they later posted a follow-up with corrected information, they did not extend an apology to Loudermill.
The Case Progresses
The lawsuit has now been filed in a federal court, and if the case proceeds, it may set a significant precedent for politicians sharing unverified information online. However, what remains to be seen, is how this case will unfold and whether it will bring about stricter controls on the posting of unverified information, particularly by those in power.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of accuracy in the dissemination of information, particularly from those in positions of prominence and influence. It underscores the need for greater accountability and responsibility for the potential harm caused by the spread of unverified news.
