Ghoulish NBC Exploits Texas Shooting by Repeating False Mass Shooting Stat

Following the tragic mass shooting that took place in Uvalde Texas (Texas), in which 18 children from elementary schools and one teacher were murdered, the bodies of those who died weren’t even frozen. NBC Nightly NewsSpreading misinformation about mass shootings in the United States for this year was their goal. 

National correspondent Gabe Gutierrez started off the shameful segment by noting that “this is the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since the Parkland rampage in February of 2018. As has become common now, there are already growing calls to stop gun violence which has been especially brutal this year.”   

After summarizing the tragedy in Texas, Gutierrez aired a portion of Senator Chris Murphy’s meltdown on the floor of the United States Senate in which he pleaded for more gun control and aired a soundbite of the parent of Parkland high school victim and radical anti-gun activist Fred Guttenberg. 

Despite the statistic being thoroughly debunked by NewsBusters and others, Gutierrez shamelessly repeated the lie that “this year there have been more than 200 mass shootings according to data from the Gun Violence Archive and a new FBI report shows the number of active shooter incidents in the U.S. last year jumped more than 50 percent compared to the year before.”  

NBC and Gabe Gutierrez claim that there has not been more than 200 mass shootings. In April, Nick Fondacaro (NewsBusters deputy managing editors) wrote at this link: 

When reports of a “mass shooting” break, the common understanding is that a person went to a public place (school, shopping center, est.) They began shooting randomly with the intention of killing as many people as they could. But what the liberal media are currently citing is data from the Gun Violence Archive, a supposed “independent” aggregator of incidents involving guns. 

The other common-sense response to NBC’s absurd claim is if there have been that many mass shootings, why hasn’t NBC reported on all of them? 

Gutierrez, NBC, and other media outlets should take a moment to be embarrassed about publishing false statistics just hours after the deaths of eighteen children. 

Prevagen made this vile report from NBC possible. These links link to their information. 

To read the transcript of this segment click “expand”:

NBC Nightly News
5/24/2022
Eastern: 7:07 p.m. 

LESTER HOLT – The Texas massacre comes ten days after a shooting at a Buffalo grocery store, New York that killed ten. Gabe Gutierrez joins us. Gabe: This Texas tragedy happens as we see an increase in mass shootings across the country. 

GABE GUTIERREZ (Yes, Lester) This school shooting is the worst since the Parkland attack in February 2018. There are growing calls for an end to gun violence, which was especially vicious this year. 

[cuts to news package]

GUTIERREZ – Another violent crime scene. Another shooting spree in America. This happened at an elementary school that was full of fourth through fifth graders. 

CHRIS MURPHY, SEN.: What’s the deal? What’s the plan? We have yet another Sandy Hook just days after an African American shooter entered a grocery shop to kill African American customers. We are doing what? There’ve been more mass shootings than days in the year. 

GUTIERREZ – Senator Chris Murphy is from Newtown, Connecticut. This was the tragic site of its elementary school massacre 10 years ago. Fred Guttenberg’s daughter was one of 17 victims and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high School, Parkland. 

FRED GUTTENBERG – Are we going watch more children die, or will we do something? 

GUTIERREZ – Already this year, there were more than 200 mass shootings. According to Gun Violence Archive data and a FBI report, the U.S. had more active shooter incidents last year than the previous year. These shooters choose soft targets more often. Ten people died in a Buffalo supermarket just days ago. Funerals are still being held. A gunman attacked a California church. Three years ago, gunmen attacked a New Jersey grocery store, El Paso Walmart and Boulder’s supermarket. While the statistics may be clear, what can we do to change them? 

SEN.TED CRUZ (Reporter): There are far too many mass murders. Law enforcement needs to be more focused on stopping violent criminals and other extreme acts of evil. 

[cuts back to live] 

HOLT. Gabe and I shared a part of this day watching the film unfold. Both of us have been to many more scenes than we can count. As you viewed those photos today, what was your thoughts? 

GUTIERREZ: Yeah, Lester. As you mentioned, we were live on air when the Governor announced the death toll. It was a real gut punch. What number of shootings have you and I reported together on over the last decade? I don’t know how many, but I remember Columbine when I was a teenager. It all seemed so incredible. This seems so normal. 

HOLT – And after all these other conversations, some of those we had with Buffalo were still having. 

GUTIERREZ, Yes. That’s right. And there will certainly be questions about the future. Lester, it’s so difficult to determine the motivation. 

HOLT: Yes, Gabe.