Candace Owens recently landed in hot waters after making some controversial comments about the trans community in reference to Uvalde elementary school shooter Salvador Ramos’ identity.On May 24, 18-year-old Ramos opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Texas, killing nearly 19 children and two adults. The gunman was later shot dead during a standoff with law enforcement authorities. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostShortly after the incident, unconfirmed rumors about the shooter being an immigrant and identifying as trans made the rounds on social media. It was later revealed that images of two other transgender women were being circulated online as an alleged photo of Ramos to spread rumors that the shooter belonged to the community.Conservative influencer Candace Owens also took to Twitter to make similar claims and said that Ramos’ style of “cross-dressing” proved that he was “mentally disturbed” and capable of carrying out the shootout.In the wake of the Texas Robb Elementary School shooting, Candace Owens took to Twitter to discuss the identity of deceased shooter Salvador Ramos. She wrote that people should have been aware of the signs of mental illness in the teenager by looking at his dressing style:“What drives an 18-year-old to murder innocent children? I don’t know. But judging by the photos of him crossing dressing, we can assume there were plenty of signs that he was mentally disturbed and abused by adults in his life. Societal cowardice ignored those plenty of signs.”The commentator then shared two images showing male pregnancy and body positivity, and claimed that the “root cause” behind any tragedy is present in society. She referred to the images as symbols of “mental illness” surrounding people on a daily basis:Candace Owens@RealCandaceOEverybody is always in search of a “root cause” after an unspeakable tragedy takes place when the root cause is all around us. Our society is sick. Refuse to acknowledge mental illness when it so evidently surrounds you? Congrats. You are a part of the root cause.134233057Everybody is always in search of a “root cause” after an unspeakable tragedy takes place when the root cause is all around us. Our society is sick. Refuse to acknowledge mental illness when it so evidently surrounds you? Congrats. You are a part of the root cause. https://t.co/9daza7bpB8Owens then referenced Ramos’ alleged cross-dressing photos and mentioned that an adult man dressing up like a female is a “glaring symbol of mental disease.” She then claimed that all children are at risk because adults are refusing to acknowledge such mental health issues:Candace Owens@RealCandaceOAn adult man that wants to dress up like a female is a glaring symbol of mental disease. A society driven by cowardice prevents this topic from being discussed honestly and openly.ALL of our children are at risk bc we refuse to acknowledge—and instead encourage—mental illness.428399171An adult man that wants to dress up like a female is a glaring symbol of mental disease. A society driven by cowardice prevents this topic from being discussed honestly and openly.ALL of our children are at risk bc we refuse to acknowledge—and instead encourage—mental illness.As Owens’ comments sparked immediate controversy online, she clarified that she never shared the fake photo that attempted to present Ramos as a trans woman:“I never once shared any fake photo of the shooter. This is an entirely made up storyline. Instead, people keep sharing a fake photo and insisting it’s the one I’m referencing in an effort to restrict my discussion about mental illness & the dangerous rise of gender ideology.”Candace Owens@RealCandaceOAnd @twitter is now backing up this lie. As usual. Because they house so many mentally deranged individuals who perpetuate dangerous gender theories.4470620And @twitter is now backing up this lie. As usual. Because they house so many mentally deranged individuals who perpetuate dangerous gender theories. https://t.co/I3GOMCVS7IThe influencer then claimed that the photo she referred to about the Texas shooter wearing female clothes has not been debunked by the media, but instead “conflated with the obvious internet hoax” pictures showing a “guy in a skirt in front of a trans flag.”Twitter reacts to Candace Owens' comments on Texas shooterNetizens called out Candace Owens for cross-dressing remarks in reference to Texas school shooter (Image via Getty Images)The heartbreaking Texas school shooting tragedy left social media users completely devastated, and many took to online platforms to mourn the loss of the innocent victims. Meanwhile, unconfirmed rumors about the deceased gunman being trans and an immigrant sparked a major online debate.As political commentator Candace Owens weighed in on the issue and shared some controversial comments about the shooter’s alleged cross-dressing photos as signs of mental illness, several people took to Twitter to react to her opinion:🇺🇸🅸🅽🅳🆈 🆁🅴🅵🆄🅶🅴🅴🇺🇸@mk_indyChildren blown apart by guns don’t satisfy bloodthirsty GOP clowns like Paul Gosar, Marge Greene & Candace Owens.Using the Uvalde murders to instigate attacks on the trans community, they’re hoping for more violence & bloodshed.We deserve better than the evil they spread.690211Children blown apart by guns don’t satisfy bloodthirsty GOP clowns like Paul Gosar, Marge Greene & Candace Owens.Using the Uvalde murders to instigate attacks on the trans community, they’re hoping for more violence & bloodshed.We deserve better than the evil they spread.matt@mattxiv18 children slaughtered and candace owens has the nerve to make it about how she hates queer and fat people. absolutely deranged and obsessed22290296418 children slaughtered and candace owens has the nerve to make it about how she hates queer and fat people. absolutely deranged and obsessed https://t.co/slE5oOPxJdBill Prady 🇺🇦@billpradyNo one said @RealCandaceO posted the photos. She referenced them. She perpetuated a lie, started on 4chan, that the shooter was trans. She spread a cruel lie, and her tweet spreading that lie is still up. The goal of the right today is to make this about anything but guns. twitter.com/realcandaceo/s…Candace Owens@RealCandaceOI never once shared any fake photo of the shooter. This is an entirely made up storyline. Instead, people keep sharing a fake photo and insisting it’s the one I’m referencing in an effort to restrict my discussion about mental illness & the dangerous rise of gender ideology.145I never once shared any fake photo of the shooter. This is an entirely made up storyline. Instead, people keep sharing a fake photo and insisting it’s the one I’m referencing in an effort to restrict my discussion about mental illness & the dangerous rise of gender ideology.No one said @RealCandaceO posted the photos. She referenced them. She perpetuated a lie, started on 4chan, that the shooter was trans. She spread a cruel lie, and her tweet spreading that lie is still up. The goal of the right today is to make this about anything but guns. twitter.com/realcandaceo/s… https://t.co/KaOmpejmOPAngel is a Menace✊🏾@_Be_not_AfraidA few weeks ago: Dave Chappelle said the person who attacked him was trans (he wasnt).today: Candace Owens claims an unrelated trans persons was responsible for the shooting in Uvalde, Texas.( they weren't)why are you surprised?70691162A few weeks ago: Dave Chappelle said the person who attacked him was trans (he wasnt).today: Candace Owens claims an unrelated trans persons was responsible for the shooting in Uvalde, Texas.( they weren't)why are you surprised?H0LY ! 😇💎 COMS OPEN!@h0lyh0lyh0ly_I hope the trans woman sues Candace Owens for defamation. what a nice fat stack of cash3I hope the trans woman sues Candace Owens for defamation. what a nice fat stack of cashAnthony@ahsehthoImagine hearing multiple children were slaughtered at school and your first thought is “I hate trans ppl”. Candace Owens is a joke.132Imagine hearing multiple children were slaughtered at school and your first thought is “I hate trans ppl”. Candace Owens is a joke.Changfucius@TheChangfuciusCandace Owens thinks parents supporting their trans kids and men not being “masculine” enough is the source of mass shootings every couple days in America. I think Candace Owens is a trash human being.10123Candace Owens thinks parents supporting their trans kids and men not being “masculine” enough is the source of mass shootings every couple days in America. I think Candace Owens is a trash human being.omom@omom219It’s the way Candace Owens finds the time to spread lies that the shooter was trans. Which was debunked bc they conflated the shooter with a Reddit user who happened to be a trans woman. She is spreading LIES for her agenda!! Please spread this 🏽259It’s the way Candace Owens finds the time to spread lies that the shooter was trans. Which was debunked bc they conflated the shooter with a Reddit user who happened to be a trans woman. She is spreading LIES for her agenda!! Please spread this 🙏🏽As reactions continued to pour in online, Georgia-based transwoman Sam claimed that Reddit users commented on a photo she shared three months ago and told her the images were being shared on social media as an alleged photo of the Texas shooter.Sam reportedly told NBC that the photos were taken from her personal Instagram page and that she faced threats and harassment as a result of the online circulation. Meanwhile, there has been no actual evidence to prove that Uvalde gunman Salvador Ramos belonged to the trans community.