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Police: Social media post falsely claims shooting at Glenmont McDonald's

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. sely-claims-shooting-at-glenmont-mcdonald-s.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 9:22 GMT by WNYT NewsChannel 13

Police response

A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) posted on Twitter on Tuesday morning: “We are aware of the false claim that a shooting occurred at the Glenmont McDonald’s. We have no record of any shooting in the area. No injuries have been reported. We urge residents to verify information before sharing.” The NYPD also released a press release on its website, in which Officer John Martinez, commander of the 28th Precinct, stated that “there have been no calls or reports to 911 regarding a shooting at the Glenmont McDonald’s in the past 24 hours.”

The statement included a link to the NYPD’s official social‑media account and a PDF of the press release. The PDF detailed the timeline of the rumor’s spread, the department’s verification process, and the steps being taken to track the source of the false information. The NYPD also noted that it was reviewing the user account that first posted the misleading screenshot, and that law enforcement agencies will continue to monitor for similar misinformation.

McDonald’s confirms no incident

The McDonald’s manager on duty that day, Angela Torres, was interviewed by the station. “We had a normal rush at lunch,” Torres said. “No one was harmed, no gun was found. All our customers and staff were safe.” Torres also thanked the police for their swift response, adding that the rumor had caused concern among patrons and the local community. She noted that the restaurant had increased security measures after the rumor circulated, but that the incident was purely a misunderstanding.

The origin of the rumor

Police officials indicated that the post likely stemmed from a mix‑up with a separate shooting that occurred in the broader Glenmont neighborhood earlier that month. An incident at a nearby Walmart in Glenmont on September 27 resulted in a single gunshot, but the store was not involved. A local eyewitness posted a video of the event on TikTok, which some social‑media users mistakenly associated with the McDonald’s. The confusion was compounded by the fact that the TikTok video’s timestamp was mislabeled, making it appear to be from the same day as the alleged McDonald’s shooting.

The NYPD’s press release cited a forensic review of the video that confirmed it was from the Walmart incident. It also referenced a police investigation into the TikTok account that posted the footage, which was found to belong to a user who had previously posted unverified crime reports.

Community reaction

The spread of the false claim caused a brief spike in foot traffic at the Glenmont McDonald’s as patrons wanted to verify the story. Several residents posted on social media, expressing disbelief and concern. “I was going to get a burger for lunch, and suddenly everyone is saying there was a shooting,” said local resident Maria Lopez, who commented on a reposted tweet. “I was relieved to see the police statement.”

A local community group, the Glenmont Neighborhood Association, issued a brief statement urging residents to rely on official sources for crime information. “We appreciate the NYPD’s transparency,” the statement read. “Please help us keep misinformation from spreading by fact‑checking before sharing.”

Law enforcement perspective on misinformation

Police Commissioner Linda Chang, in a brief interview with WNYT, emphasized the growing challenge of digital misinformation. “Misinformation can quickly erode public trust and create unnecessary panic,” Chang said. “We urge the public to verify events with official channels, especially when dealing with potential crimes.”

Commissioner Chang also highlighted the department’s ongoing collaboration with social‑media platforms to flag and remove false content. She noted that the NYPD has a dedicated Task Force on Digital Misinformation that works with both local law enforcement and national agencies to monitor and counteract harmful rumors.

What to do if you encounter suspicious claims

The NYPD’s press release offered guidance for residents who come across questionable posts. The department recommends:

1. Check the source. Verify whether the account posting the information is reputable or has a history of misinformation.
2. Look for corroboration. Confirm the story through multiple reliable outlets or official statements.
3. Use official channels. Report any suspicious or potentially harmful content to the NYPD’s Digital Misinformation Hotline.
4. Verify with local authorities. When in doubt, contact the local precinct or police department directly.

The department also encouraged the public to use its official Twitter handle, @NYPD, and its website’s “Report Misinformation” portal to report any suspected false posts.

Final thoughts

While the rumor surrounding the Glenmont McDonald’s did not turn out to be true, the incident highlighted how quickly misinformation can spread in the digital age and the importance of reliable sources. Police and community leaders urged residents to stay vigilant and to verify claims before sharing. As the city continues to grapple with the challenges of misinformation, the cooperation between law enforcement and local businesses will remain crucial in ensuring public safety and maintaining trust.