Parents of Sandy Hook victims are suing Alex Jones for spreading conspiracy theory about shooting

Neil Heslin, father of a Sandy Hook shooting victim.
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Parents of two children who were killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits against right-wing radio host Alex Jones.

Jones is being sued for defamation over his controversial claims that the shooting was a "giant hoax." On his radio show, Jones has repeatedly said that the 2012 shooting that killed 26 people — including 20 first-graders — never happened. Jones has instead spread the conspiracy theory that the event was staged by the government in an attempt to weaken Second Amendment rights.

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.