Fact Check: FAKE Photo Does NOT Show Officer From Montreal Shooting -- The Image Is Likely…
An AI-generated image circulating on social media falsely identified a Montreal police officer following a June 2026 shooting incident involving a local congregant
- Incident date
- Jun 2026
- Target
- Montreal police
Following a shooting in Montreal in late June 2026, a viral social media post falsely identified a police officer using an AI-generated image. The post, shared on X on June 23, 2026, claimed the officer had shot a civilian rabbi outside a specific corporate headquarters, a narrative that was quickly debunked.
What happened
The incident began when the account @DrRemilio posted an image purporting to show the officer involved in the shooting. Investigations revealed the image was not a photograph but an AI-generated fabrication. Key indicators of its artificial origin included distorted text on the uniform's shoulder patches and name tag, a warped badge lacking proper detail, and a rifle that appeared to blend together. Additionally, the skin texture appeared unnaturally smooth, and the lighting on the subject's head was inconsistent with the rest of the image.
The content also functioned as a parody of a long-running internet meme involving comedian Sam Hyde, who is frequently and falsely linked to high-profile violent incidents. The image's subject featured glasses, blonde hair, and a specific woodland setting consistent with this recurring hoax.
Furthermore, the factual claims regarding the shooting victims were incorrect. While a shooting did occur in Montreal on June 22, 2026, resulting in the deaths of a police officer, a bystander, and the shooter, the bystander was not a rabbi. The victim, identified as Michel Mizrahi, was a member of Congregation Beth Chabad Côte St. Luc, but representatives of the congregation confirmed he was not a rabbi. Montreal police did not immediately respond to requests to verify the identity of the person depicted in the fake image.