UPDATE:see the end of this article for breaking news
On Wednesday, January 6, Trump-supporting rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to try and stop Congress from confirming Joe Biden's win in the 2020 election.
Photographers were on hand to capture many of the insurrection's most dramatic moments.
Via Getty, one the rioters steals a podium from the Capitol https://t.co/V4spojl40q— Ryan Lizza (@Ryan Lizza) 1609965602.0
One amusing aspect of this dark passage in American history, however, arrived on Twitter.
Several journalists, posting images of the rioters, attributed the pictures to Getty Images.
Apparently unaware of the photo service, many Twitter users then seemed to think the rioter who was pictured stealing a podium from the Capitol building was named "Via Getty."
A little bit of humour... Some people on Twitter think “Via Getty” is the name of a protester as opposed to an ack… https://t.co/hhvfkJxv0X— Thomas Mairs (@Thomas Mairs) 1609971020.0
To be clear, “via Getty” is not a person. It just means that this photo comes via Getty Images. https://t.co/SZY4yQ0AlI— Ryan Lizza (@Ryan Lizza) 1609978189.0
Though some journalists attempted to correct people's mistake, the damage was already done.
https://t.co/8vuIWk0eRd— Thomas Mairs (@Thomas Mairs) 1609971556.0
https://t.co/3IIkll8iY9— Thomas Mairs (@Thomas Mairs) 1609973497.0
The rest of Twitter couldn't help but laugh at the innocent misunderstanding.
@TomMairs @JStroodel Relevant https://t.co/nUXD0tPYLe— Jabes (@Jabes) 1609977223.0
@TomMairs @PeterD_Adams Oh yeah I know this family. His brother Spa Getty is a real bastard.— Zachary Elwood (@Zachary Elwood) 1609981363.0
@TomMairs @aewsome Gonna change my Twitter handle to Via Getty— Self-Esteem Coach (@Self-Esteem Coach) 1609980642.0
Who were the other rioters pictured at the scene?
@TomMairs We need to track Roy Ters down aswel— The Mancorialist (@The Mancorialist) 1609975261.0
@TomMairs @ImpressionistAL Wait till they find out that this protestors name is Shutter Stock https://t.co/eSynwBM50w— Colin Roberts (@Colin Roberts) 1610007347.0
Sometimes the only thing a sane person can do is play along with the joke.
@TomMairs @andytoon24 This is unreal— Joe (@Joe) 1609973283.0
hope Via Getty is doing well this morning.— David Chipakupaku 🏴🇿🇲 (@David Chipakupaku 🏴🇿🇲) 1610013949.0
Via Getty you will be dealt with— JP (@JP) 1610036640.0
Hopefully Via Getty is soon punished for their seditious behavior.
I've been doing some Google detective work, and I can say this Via Getty character is a true master of disguises— David Burge (@David Burge) 1610025361.0
With a little bit of luck, 2021 will be the year Via Getty is finally brought to justice.
UPDATE:
And on Friday night, Via Getty's crime spree came to an end.
His lawyer said that at trial he won’t be taking the stand. https://t.co/A69vY35jqP— hend amry (@hend amry) 1610212959.0
According to the Department of Justice, Adam Johnson, 36, of Florida was arrested. Johnson—aka Via Getty—faces charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; theft of government property; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.