Police Dispel Rumor Of Violent Shaker Heights Incident

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Police were forced to take to social media to address a persistent rumor about a violent incident on Winslow Road. The department said on Facebook that a Lomond Community resident wrote a social media post about a confrontation that happened in their backyard.

The message was popular. It was seen by a lot of people. One problem: there was no violent confrontation.

"We have since learned from this resident that the incident never occurred," the department wrote on Facebook. "Though we don't want to be insensitive to anyone, we do feel compelled to share this resident made an unfortunate decision to misrepresent the truth. Speculation about their motives is secondary to our desire to alleviate community concerns about this incident."

The department said the social media post led to concern among residents about safety in their neighborhoods. There was more concern than usual over criminal activity.

"No community is immune from random acts of criminal behavior," the department wrote on Facebook. "However, when the community and police partner to share information, provide education, and develop prevention strategies, we all benefit. We will always do our part to help keep you safe and secure, but we will continue to rely on our residents to help us along the way."

The department reiterated that it wants residents discuss how to stay safe, but it wants to "encourage the accurate sharing of facts when situations arise."

When pressed on why the person might have made an untrue social media post, the department said it could not comment.

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