A man who was briefly detained in the chaos following a tragic shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally is taking legal action against a Tennessee congressman for falsely accusing him on social media of involvement in the incident and being an undocumented immigrant.
Denton Loudermill Jr., a resident of Olathe, Kansas, initiated a federal lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, asserting that the congressman’s statements were extremely offensive, derogatory, and defamatory. Burchett, a Republican serving his third term representing an eastern Tennessee district, refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal matter through his spokeswoman, Rachel Partlow.
The shooting, which occurred on February 14 outside Kansas City’s historic Union Station, resulted in the death of a prominent DJ and left over 20 individuals injured, including several children. Loudermill, who was not among those charged in relation to the incident, is seeking damages exceeding $75,000.
According to the lawsuit, Loudermill found himself frozen in the midst of the chaos when the gunfire broke out, remaining in the vicinity long enough for law enforcement to establish a crime scene before he could safely leave. As he attempted to depart by going under the crime scene tape, officers intervened, accusing him of moving too slowly. Subsequently, he was handcuffed and seated on a curb, where bystanders took photographs that circulated on social media.
Despite Loudermill’s eventual release from the scene without any formal detention, citation, or arrest, his image appeared on Burchett’s social media account with a caption falsely identifying him as one of the perpetrators of the shooting and as an illegal immigrant. Although a subsequent post acknowledged erroneous news reports regarding Loudermill’s immigration status, the damage was done as the initial post had been shared extensively, reaching over a million people worldwide.
The lawsuit highlights Loudermill’s status as a non-public figure and an employee at a car wash, emphasizing his role as a valued member of his African-American family with deep ties to his Kansas community. Furthermore, it details the severe repercussions Loudermill faced as a result of the false accusations, including receiving death threats and experiencing significant emotional distress.
In essence, Loudermill’s legal action underscores the profound impact of baseless accusations and the importance of responsible communication, particularly from public figures, in the digital age. As the legal proceedings unfold, it serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of misinformation and the necessity of safeguarding individuals’ reputations and well-being.
