NEW DELHI: A man named Gladney Xavier was killed in a gang-related shooting in Fresno, California, on Tuesday. But by the time the news reached India, Gladney had become Goldy. Before police in the US could declare the identity of the deceased, the “death” of gangster Goldy Brar had become a rage on social media and trended for close to 18 hours.
Over a dozen accounts based in the US and Canada, supposedly of rival groups, started the rumour early on Wednesday, it is believed.
Netizens on Thursday came up with interesting memes that included Brar claiming his own death as the gangster has been quick in claiming responsibility for killings carried out by his gang on social media. Users termed him “the reincarnated” and memes showing him with Sidhu Moose Wala also surfaced.
TOI had reported how a bar fight and a shooting incident in Fresno had fuelled rumours of Brar’s death. The Fresno police told local media: “We can confirm that the victim was not a man named Goldy Brar. The victim’s identity is in the press release and his picture is attached. We do not know where the rumour that it was Goldy Brar started from, but it wasn’t from us.”
The Fresno police statement read: “On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 5.30pm, Fresno police officers in northwest district responded to Fairmont Avenue and Holt Avenue for a shot spotter activation. Responding officers found 37-year-old Gladney Xavier suffering from a gunshot wound. Gladney was transported to CRMC, but he was pronounced dead. Additionally, a 13-year-old juvenile was dropped off at CRMC with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. This juvenile was also present at Fairmont Avenue and Holt Avenue when Gladney was fatally shot.”
Over a dozen accounts based in the US and Canada, supposedly of rival groups, started the rumour early on Wednesday, it is believed.
Netizens on Thursday came up with interesting memes that included Brar claiming his own death as the gangster has been quick in claiming responsibility for killings carried out by his gang on social media. Users termed him “the reincarnated” and memes showing him with Sidhu Moose Wala also surfaced.
TOI had reported how a bar fight and a shooting incident in Fresno had fuelled rumours of Brar’s death. The Fresno police told local media: “We can confirm that the victim was not a man named Goldy Brar. The victim’s identity is in the press release and his picture is attached. We do not know where the rumour that it was Goldy Brar started from, but it wasn’t from us.”
The Fresno police statement read: “On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 5.30pm, Fresno police officers in northwest district responded to Fairmont Avenue and Holt Avenue for a shot spotter activation. Responding officers found 37-year-old Gladney Xavier suffering from a gunshot wound. Gladney was transported to CRMC, but he was pronounced dead. Additionally, a 13-year-old juvenile was dropped off at CRMC with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. This juvenile was also present at Fairmont Avenue and Holt Avenue when Gladney was fatally shot.”