Murky Link between SoLA Violence and Social Media Chatter

Threats that used to be spray-painted on the sides of buildings are now turning up on line. They might come from anywhere — but they're creating fears in some neighborhoods. An uptick of shootings late last week in South Los Angeles killed one person and injured 12 others. Nobody knows if they were related to social-media messages sent beforehand or to ominous warnings sent afterwards about more trouble to come. Police and gang-intervention workers are studying the Internet, which has become a tool for law enforcement as well as a forum for the spread of rumors and false information.

Photo: Matt Green