Even as authorities struggle to gather real clues in Friday’s horrific attack, they’re warning that those promoting misinformation about the case are subject to prosecution.
“Misinformation is being posted on social media sites,” Connecticut State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said at a news conference Sunday. “These issues are crimes. They will be investigated, statewide and federally, and prosecution will take place when people perpetrating this information are identified.”
In some cases, Vance said, people are posing as the dead gunman, Adam Lanza. Some are assuming other identities associated with the shooting — and some of the information has been threatening.
One such threat caused the evacuation of a church in Newtown during Sunday Mass. Archdiocese spokesman Brian Wallace says a threatening phone call caused officials to evacuate St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, where many residents have gathered to seek solace from the tragedy.