After a gunman opened fire at a July 4 parade in Highland Park, Illinois, killing seven people and injuring dozens of others, some social media posts claimed Democrats orchestrated the attack.
One Facebook post shared July 4 shows five images of the Highland Park shooting suspect, 21-year-old Robert Crimo III.
"This is the shooter..Folks..this is CLEARLY another op by the Dems," reads the caption of the post. "He knew he was gonna do it, and covered his bases..Hence the Pepe shirt..They’re gonna try to come after us again."
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The post generated over 600 interactions and 500 shares in less than a week.
But the claim is baseless.
Authorities have indicated that Crimo acted alone. He also admitted to the shooting after he was arrested, and police have recovered Crimo's rifle left behind at the scene of the attack.
USA TODAY reached out to the social media users who shared the claim for comment.
USA TODAY, like other independent fact-checking organizations, found no evidence that Democrats or any other group orchestrated the Highland Park shooting.
Police said Crimo used a legally-purchased, high-powered rifle to open fire on the July 4 parade, and he disguised himself in women's clothing to blend into the crowd after the attack, USA TODAY reported. llinois Lake County State's Attorney Eric F. Rinehart...
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