Reaction was fast and furious after Baltimore police and Fox News reported that a black man was shot “multiple times” following a police chase on the same street where riots broke out after the death of Freddie Gray, but as it turned out those reports were inaccurate.
Witnesses said the unidentified man was shot by police, but Baltimore police, who initially tweeted that the man was shot, are now saying those reports are untrue.
The event was witnessed by Fox News’ Mike Tobin, who initially incorrectly reported it as a police involved shooting.
Tobin said he “clearly saw a revolver on the sidewalk” at the scene of the shooting and said he didn’t know what prompted the chase but did witness the man running from police.
“I was getting ready to do a live shot for my shift. I was sitting in the car, scribbling on my notes for the next live shot, and he ran right in front of us,” he said. “I never saw the individual turn and do anything I would consider an aggressive act, but we did see the officer draw his weapon and I counted one gunshot.”
Tobin told Fox News’ Shepard Smith that the man was “in bad shape” following the shooting that we now know didn’t happen.
Shortly after the supposed shooting, crowds quickly began to form at the scene while police assembled in riot gear.
Police have now told Fox News that the man dropped his gun while running and his gun went off causing witnesses to believe the man was shot but, in fact, no one was hit with a bullet.
Despite the fact that there was no shooting, Twitter quickly lit up with pictures and commentary declaring the police guilty of shooting an “innocent” man.
North and Penn. The police just shot someone in Baltimore. Unreal. #BaltimoreUprising https://t.co/lIqNwYAIeK
— deray mckesson (@deray) May 4, 2015
Shooting: 2500 block Marbourne Ave. Man reported to be shot multiple times. Southern District detectives investigating.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) May 4, 2015
The reports of a man being shot at North and Pennsylvania Ave are NOT true. Officers have arrested a man for a handgun at the location
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) May 4, 2015
Breaking: #Baltimore Police just shot a handcufffed man in the back on North Av and Penn, Video: http://t.co/jFjGUN1E6F
— Global Revolution TV (@GlobalRevLive) May 4, 2015
#Baltimore PD just shot a man in the back on Pen & North then started macing ppl there…smh http://t.co/g39RIkDyqp pic.twitter.com/Whq2kVOWoZ
— Bassem Masri (@bassem_masri) May 4, 2015
As it stands, no one knows why this guy was shot in #Baltimore pic.twitter.com/gkHaaKXMqJ
— Aaron Gardner (@Aaron_RS) May 4, 2015
DEVELOPING: Man shot multiple times by #Baltimore police. http://t.co/M8KoiUxUQH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 4, 2015
The Grio Man shot by Baltimore police Fox News The unidentified man is seen in a stretcher… http://t.co/ptgH0Xg8bl pic.twitter.com/7YlZ9rElye
— US Live News (@USLiveNews) May 4, 2015
"@TheDMVDaily: Breaking News: A man was shot multiple times by Baltimore Police moments ago. pic.twitter.com/W6hm0zcvqZ"here we go
— HATSHEPSUT (@Bostonyia) May 4, 2015
Fox says police shot a guy. Police tell CNN he shot himself, then tweet no one was shot. Someone was loaded onto a stretcher. FFS Baltimore.
— Joanne (@joanne_stocker) May 4, 2015
#Baltimore cop pepper sprays citizens after man is shot
#BaltimoreUprising #ACAB #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/gFSAnHGujG
— Malcolm Weasel (@MalcolmWeasel) May 4, 2015
Fascinating situation unfolding on @FoxNews. @ShepNewsTeam explaining and apologizing for false reports that Baltimore police shot a man.
— Jen Keeney (@jenkeeney) May 4, 2015
When you have to report on your own false report @FoxNews (Images via @jocefromthenews) #Baltimore pic.twitter.com/yWFx0pykcE
— Luke Lavoie (@LukeaLavoie) May 4, 2015
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