Judge dismisses lawsuit against Rep. Burchett over false shooting claims
- A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, who falsely accused Denton Loudermill Jr. of being involved in a shooting at a Kansas City rally.
- Loudermill was wrongfully identified in social media posts following the February 14 incident, which resulted in a death and numerous injuries.
- The lawsuit will be refiled in Washington, D.C., where Burchett made the posts, as the judge ruled that Kansas was not the appropriate jurisdiction.
On February 14, a shooting occurred outside Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, during a rally celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory. The incident resulted in the death of a well-known DJ and injuries to over 20 individuals, including children. In the aftermath, Denton Loudermill Jr. was briefly handcuffed by police as they managed the chaotic scene, although he was not involved in the shooting and was ultimately released without charges. U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, posted on social media, incorrectly identifying Loudermill as one of the shooters. His posts included a picture of Loudermill with a caption suggesting he was an illegal alien, which was false as Loudermill is a U.S. citizen. Burchett later attempted to clarify his statements, attributing the misinformation to incorrect news reports, but the damage had already been done. Loudermill's lawsuit claimed defamation and sought to address the harm caused by Burchett's accusations, which led to death threats and significant emotional distress for Loudermill. However, the federal judge ruled that the case should not be heard in Kansas due to Burchett's limited connection to the state. Loudermill's legal team plans to refile the lawsuit in Washington, D.C., where Burchett was located when he made the posts. This case highlights the potential consequences of misinformation spread through social media, particularly when it involves serious allegations that can impact an individual's life and reputation.