Fact Check: No bystanders shot in Carlow gun incident mischaracterised as a ‘massacre' online
No bystanders were shot when a man fired a gun inside a shopping centre in Ireland on June 1 before turning the gun on himself, according to police, which counters online posts that say a nine-year-old girl was hit in a 'shopping mall massacre'.
An X post, opens new tab shared hours after the incident in Carlow, and viewed 5.7 million times, said: 'Something very serious is unfolding in Ireland right now. Today's Shopping Mall Massacre, which saw a 9-year-old girl shot by a man who had explosives strapped to his body, has enraged the General Public. Ireland may have a Civil War VERY soon.'
A post with the same wording was also shared on Facebook, opens new tab.
Ireland's police force, An Garda Siochana, referred Reuters to its press releases when contacted for comment. None, opens new tab of its statements, opens new tab say anyone but the gunman, opens new tab was shot.
A statement, opens new tab on June 2 said the man discharged a shotgun into the air at Fairgreen Shopping Centre before 'self-inflicting a fatal wound'.
The same statement says: 'No person was injured by the shots discharged,' although a young girl also fell and injured her leg when running from the scene.
The Garda said it observed 'a bottle containing an unknown substance' on the gunman's body and called an explosive ordnance disposal team who later 'declared the scene safe'.
An update issued on June 4, opens new tab said detectives were continuing to gather witness statements and listed no further casualties.
National, opens new tab media, opens new tab named 22-year-old Evan Fitzgerald as the man who died.
False. Garda said only the gunman was shot, which was self-inflicted. A girl injured her leg as she ran from the scene.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.
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