The tragic school shooting that occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 16, 2024, left at least three people dead and six others injured. Early reports indicated that the shooter, believed to be a juvenile and possibly a student at the school, was among the deceased. As details continue to emerge, the community is grappling with the shock and sorrow of the event.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Alex Jones, the controversial figure behind InfoWars, wasted no time in promoting conspiracy theories about the shooting. His post on X (formerly Twitter) suggested that the shooting could be “gang or trans-related,” without any evidence to support such claims. Jones even went so far as to predict that if the shooting was indeed linked to a transgender individual, it would quickly be suppressed by the media.
Jones’ reckless speculation is particularly notable given his recent legal history. In June 2024, a court ordered Jones to liquidate $1.5 billion in assets to compensate the families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, after he falsely claimed the attack was a hoax. The fact that Jones has continued to spread misinformation about mass shootings suggests that he has learned nothing from his legal and financial consequences.
While Jones’ claim about gang violence in Madison isn’t entirely without merit — the city has seen an increase in gang activity — his connection of the shooting to transgender issues is a baseless and harmful conspiracy. Data on school shootings involving transgender individuals is scarce, and Jones’ assertion that most school shootings are committed by trans individuals is simply not supported by facts.
Despite the lack of evidence, the “trans school shooter” theory has gained traction in some online communities, as seen in comments on social media. Some users questioned how Jones’ theories could be dismissed, citing past incidents as proof of his claims. However, others pushed back, pointing out that his “statistical trends” were nonsensical and unsupported by reality.
As authorities continue to investigate the shooting in Madison, it’s clear that Alex Jones’ penchant for sensationalizing tragedies for his own gain is as dangerous as ever. His actions underscore the need for more accountability in how misinformation is spread, especially in the aftermath of such devastating events.
