SAN ANTONIO – With millions of users, social media sites like Facebook are often used to share pictures and videos of happier times. When those images appear to be crimes captured by a camera, the immediate response by most is to share them, too.
That's what happened Thursday night when the above images were shared on KSAT-12's Facebook page. A man can be seen holding what appears to be a gun to the head of a young child. Several people shared that images with KSAT-12 and San Antonio police.
Law enforcement officials have said that's the wrong thing to do.
When you see the image or video, you can report it directly to Facebook by sending an email to info@facebook.com. While you can take a screenshot of the questionable image, make sure you include a link to the page of the person who uploaded it.
It's not just technologically-savvy people working behind the screen at websites like Facebook.
"Facebook has former law enforcement officers who can review postings and determine what images/postings should be referred to law enforcement and where the referral should be made," said FBI Special Agent Michelle Lee.
Many law enforcement agencies have social media pages.
The San Antonio Police Department has received information on some questionable posts on its Facebook page. In July, several people reported one post that showed a video of a child being slapped, hit and kicked. Their investigators identified the source of the video in Malaysia.
Late Thursday, a police spokesman said they were trying to identify the source of the above images.
The man's Facebook page claimed Mexico City as his hometown. Thursday night, the page also showed several pictures of the man pointing a gun at other people. By Friday afternoon, his Facebook page no longer existed. It was not clear if Facebook or the man deleted the account.
Police have said they want people to report illegal activity to them, but prefer people pick up the phone to report it instead of posting it on social media. The non-emergency number for the San Antonio Police Department is 207-7484.