A Kansas man is suing a US congressman after he was falsely identified as a shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs’ celebration parade.

Man Falsely Identified as Shooter Sues Congressman

Denton Loudermill Jr, 48, filed a suit against the Republican US representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee on Monday in the US district court in Kansas City.

Accusations Against Burchett

Loudermill accused Burchett of calling him an “illegal alien” and “shooter” in a series of social media posts after the 14 February shooting, when at least one person was killed and 21 were injured.

False Identification and Consequences

In a viral post, Burchett allegedly shared a photo of Loudermill seated on a curb in handcuffs with the caption: “One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal immigrant.” But Loudermill was not the shooter.

Police Interaction and Release

Police had briefly detained Loudermill for “moving too slow” as he attempted to exit the chaotic scene, the lawsuit states. He was later walked a few blocks away from the area and released by police. Loudermill was never arrested or charged for the shooting.

Clarification and Continued Misrepresentation

Days later, Burchett reshared a screenshot of his original post, clarifying that Loudermill was not “an illegal alien” but still identifying him as “one of the shooters”.

Impact on Loudermill

Loudermill alleges that he received death threats because of Burchett’s posts. He also experienced “periods of anxiety, agitation, and sleep disruption”, the suit states.

Seeking Damages

Loudermill is now seeking $75,000 in damages for Burchett’s actions.

Response from Burchett's Office

A spokesperson for Burchett told the Guardian that their office could not provide any comment on pending or active litigation.

Legal Proceedings and Conclusion

Three people have been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the Kansas City mass shooting.