Prominent far-right figures are inaccurately claiming that Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III is transgender after the Highland Park shooting suspect was seen wearing women’s clothes.
Crimo, who reportedly confessed to killing seven people at a Fourth of July parade on Monday, was pictured disguised in women’s clothing while fleeing the scene of the shooting.
Although investigators have since stated that the 21-year-old had planned the attack weeks in advance and specifically used the women’s clothing to blend in with the crowd and aid in his escape, right-wing talking heads across social media argued that the images were proof Crimo was transgender.
White nationalist Anthime Joseph “Tim” Gionet, known online as Baked Alaska, referred to Crimo as the “HIGHLAND PARK [trans slur] SHOOTER” in remarks on Telegram.
Failed congressional candidate Laura Loomer similarly labeled Crimo as transgender as well as the suspect who shot 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas in May.
“So in other words, both the Uvalde and Highland Park shooters were Men who liked wearing women’s clothing,” Loomer wrote. “Looks like the trans movement is radicalizing mass shooters. We don’t need gun control. We need WOKE CONTROL.”
The shooter from Uvalde, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was not transgender. The false claim first appeared on 4chan and eventually made its way right-wing politicians after users dug up photos of a totally unrelated transgender individual.
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