Misrepresented Uvalde Victim Relatives Spark Conspiracy Theories
The Claim
CNN and the Today Show interviewed "two different fathers" of a 10-year-old Uvalde school shooting victim.
News posted on
Emerging story
Social media users claimed that CNN and the Today Show had interviewed "two different fathers" of Amerie Jo Garza, a 10-year-old victim of the Uvalde school shooting.
The users shared a video with different segments of the interviews pointing to the identities of the "two different" fathers.
A tweet reads, "Two networks, Same victim, Different fathers."
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading.
Who Is Amerie’s Father?
Amerie Jo Garza, 10, is survived by her father, Alfred Garza III, and companion Viviana Granados; mother, Kimberly Garcia; and stepfather, Angel Garza, according to an obituary on the Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home website.
The Claim Is Missing Context
Angel Garza was interviewed by CNN and initially identified as the little girl's father. However, Angel is Amerie's stepfather, according to a news article published online on May 27, 2022.
Photo description: CNN first identified Angel Garza as Amerie’s father.
Photo description: CNN later identified Angel Garza as Amerie’s stepfather.
Angel Garza was also identified as Amerie Jo Garza's stepfather in an Associated Press article.
Amerie Jo Garza
Amerie Jo Garza, a fourth-grader, was killed in a Uvalde elementary school classroom on May 24, 2022, while attempting to dial 911 for assistance. Amerie was one of 19 students and two teachers killed in a mass shooting by an 18-year-old gunman.
Amerie's funeral was held privately on May 31. The Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas announced that they "awarded her one of its highest honors posthumously for risking, and ultimately giving, her life to save others."
According to the organization's tweet, "the Bronze Cross is awarded for saving or attempting to save life at the risk of the Girl Scout's own life."
Based on the findings, the claim is missing context. Amerie's stepfather is Angel Garza, and her father is Alfred Garza III.
