Sandy Hook

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Based on extensive research and interviews, this landmark investigation delves into the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting and the relentless fight of the parents to defend their children's legacies against online deniers and conspiracy theorists. On December 14, 2012, a gunman killed twenty first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. A decade later, the tragedy has become emblematic of how false conspiracy narratives and misinformation have proliferated in society. The shooting was exploited to create painful myths, with some individuals claiming it never occurred or was staged by the government to justify gun control. Victims’ families faced harassment online and in public, with some being stalked and threatened. Infowars, led by Alex Jones, played a significant role in disseminating these harmful theories, aided by social media platforms that failed to address the spread of falsehoods. This pattern of denial has since characterized responses to various major events, including the coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 election. The families, particularly the father of the youngest victim, have fought back against these narratives, striving to honor their loved ones despite facing threats. Through thorough reporting and intimate storytelling, this work captures the struggle against one of the most shocking cultural ruptures of the internet era.