CNN anchor Erin Burnett is under fire after describing the gunman involved in a deadly shooting spree in Midtown Manhattan as “possibly white” despite evidence to the contrary.
On Monday night, Burnett angered viewers during a live broadcast when she and her co-anchor discussed surveillance footage showing the shooter, later identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, holding a rifle.
Burnett’s initial comment, which was made in reference to Tamura’s appearance, included a description of him as a “possibly white” male with sunglasses and a mustache.
This assessment was supposedly based on the first images that emerged of the gunman.
However, those images, which were obtained from the surveillance footage, clearly showed Tamura with a darker complexion that conflicts with Burnett’s description.
Nevertheless, Burnett and her colleagues continued to repeatedly push the false narrative.
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As the footage circulated widely on social media, many users pointed out the discrepancy.
Many are calling out Burnett’s premature and incorrect racial assessment.
While some dismissed the gunman’s race as irrelevant, others felt Burnett’s rush to judgment was irresponsible, especially given the ongoing investigation.
The incident unfolded late Monday night when Tamura, from Nevada, went on a violent rampage at the 345 Park Avenue skyscraper in Manhattan.