Incorrect social media post spurred by W.Va. active shooter alert causes stir in Butler County
An active shooter alert related to a West Virginia incident caused a stir in Butler County on Thursday after a social media post incorrectly said the report was near the Pilot Travel Center in Portersville.
“Just got an ‘active shooter’ alert from my job. It is reported at 79 exit 99 (butler exit by pilot). Everyone be safe,” Facebook user Kim Gasser said at 2:23 p.m. Thursday in the “You’re in Spartan County” Facebook group.
There was an active shooter on Interstate 79 near an Exit 99 on Thursday, but the shooter was not in Butler County, Pa. The shooting happened along Interstate 79 near the Weston Exit (99) in northern West Virginia, according to the Associated Press.
A man who fired a gun on an interstate highway in northern West Virginia wounded a sheriff’s deputy before being killed by law enforcement Thursday, police said.
Upshur County Sheriff Virgil Miller said the man stopped his SUV in the northbound lanes just before 11 a.m. and started shooting at motorists, The Exponent Telegram reported.
Gasser’s post was shared at least 15 times on Facebook and prompted calls to The Pilot Travel Center.
An employee at the Pilot said the station was getting phone calls earlier in the day checking in on employees and the status of the situation. Employees clarified the situation, the employee said.
Later in the comments, other Facebook users asked if the alert related to the West Virginia incident.
“Idk if that is the wva shooting or not. United healthcare alerted employees for exit 99 on 79, either way better safe than sorry and so grateful my company cares enough to notify... I would rather have 10 false that I know about than 1 true and I didn’t,” Gasser said.
Five people had liked her response at 7 p.m.
The Butler Eagle was unable to attain a copy of the alert that Gasser said was sent by UnitedHealthcare, which has a Pittsburgh location.
When asked for further information Thursday evening, Gasser said she was unable to speak with the media.
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