Social media posts invented the name ‘Sahil Omar’ as one of the Chiefs parade shooting suspects

Kansas City, Missouri, authorities announced charges Feb. 16 against two juveniles in connection with the mass shooting at a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl celebration that killed one woman and injured 22 more.

The 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County’s Juvenile Officer did not release the names of suspects facing gun-related and resisting-arrest charges, which is typical for juvenile cases. But that didn’t stop social media accounts from running with a fictitious suspect name. 

Several Instagram posts shared a photo of a man detained by police and claimed the suspect was named “Sahil Omar.” These posts went on to say he was living in the country illegally.

“At least one of Kansas City shooters identified as Sahil Omar, a 44 year old illegal immigrant,” said the photo caption of a man in a reddish orange jumpsuit detained by police. “Biden has failed to protect America from an invasion and terrorism.”

Missouri state Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, reshared a post claiming “Sahil Omar” was the shooter; Brattin implored President Joe Biden to “CLOSE THE BORDER!” State Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, also wrote on X that “at least one of the alleged shooters is an illegal immigrant.” 

The Instagram posts were flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

Despite the backstory, this name is a frequent hoax that follows mass shootings.

The original photo, taken by Agence France-Presse, did not identify the person detained in the aftermath of the disrupted Kansas City Chiefs victory celebration. 

Social media posts have previously linked a person named “Sahil Omar” to other fatal incidents in recent months.

• In November 2023, after a car crashed into a U.S.-Canada border checkpoint, some social media posts claimed it was a terrorist attack by “Sahil Omar.” Two people (none named Sahil Omar) inside the car died. The FBI said no explosions were found and ruled out terrorist connections. 

• In December 2023, the name Sahil Omar was also falsely connected to a University of Nevada, Las Vegas, shooting that killed three faculty members and injured another. Police identified the suspect as Anthony Polito, a 67-year-old business professor, who died in a shootout with officers.

• The name Sahil Omar also circulated in January on social media as the suspect behind a hotel explosion in Fort Worth, Texas. Local fire officials said the explosion was likely because of a gas leak.

We rate the claim that police arrested a shooting suspect named Sahil Omar Pants on Fire!

By

Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu

Staff writer

February 16, 2024

Truth-o-meter Ruling

Pants on Fire!

IF YOUR TIME IS SHORT

• Kansas City, Missouri, juvenile prosecutors have charged two children for the Feb. 14 shooting that marred the city’s Super Bowl victory parade.

• "Sahil Omar" is a fictitious name that has been falsely linked to recent fatal incidents.

• No spin, just facts you can trust. Here's how we do it.

   

Statement

“At least one of Kansas City shooters identified as Sahil Omar, a 44 year old illegal immigrant.”

Context

a post

Speaker/Target

Speaker: Instagram posts

Statement Date

February 15, 2024