LOCAL NEWS

Father of Sandy Hook victim writes book detailing case against conspiracy theories

Nov 15, 2024, 4:23 PM | Updated: 7:01 pm

OGDEN — There are some days in life you will never forget, even if you want to and even if you don’t want to.

Robbie Parker knows that about as well as anybody.

“Emilie would have graduated last year. She would have voted this year,” he said. “So, trying to wrap your head around that is kind of bizarre.”

It’s hard to believe it has been 12 years since his daughter, Emilie, was killed in the Sandy Hook school shootings.

She was only six years old at the time.

Her funeral was held in Ogden, where the family is from.

Almost immediately after the shootings, Parker and his family, as well as family members of the other victims, faced harassment and threats when conspiracy theorist Alex Jones used his InfoWars platform to claim the shootings were a hoax and that the grieving parents were “crisis actors.”

“I have never been able to reconcile a meaning behind that,” Parker said. “But, it is a reality and it is a truth of what it means to be in the world right now, so here we are.”

At first, Parker stayed out of the lawsuits against Jones, but after speaking with families impacted by the Parkland school shooting, he realized he had to take a stand.

He has also written a book, called “A Father’s Fight,” detailing his court case against Jones, what their lives were like during the past decade, and reclaiming his family’s story.

“I had spent years trying to hide from conspiracy theorists. I had spent years disconnecting from the world because of that and from myself. It altered who I was as a person. It altered relationships with my family members and how I engaged with the world, so this reclamation of doing things to try and get that back was a healing process in the sense that it brought connection back to me, and to those that I love, and to the world that I care about,” Parker said.

“A Father’s Fight” is set to be released on November 19.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

A new bill being debated this legislative session could provide hundreds of more high school kids w...

Dan Rascon

New Utah bill could provide technical education to hundreds more high school students

A new bill being debated this legislative session could open the door for hundreds of more high school kids to technical careers—before they graduate.

8 hours ago

One man is dead after police said a stabbing took place between two men in Cedar City Wednesday....

Carlysle Price

One man killed in stabbing, another in police custody, deputies say

One man is dead after police said a stabbing took place between two men in Cedar City Wednesday.

8 hours ago

Snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon...

Brian Carlson

Troopers urge caution to holiday travelers as winter storms move in

An incoming storm ahead of Presidents' Day weekend could be a bad combination for holiday travelers.

9 hours ago

Snow covers the mountains during an early season snowstorm in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Thursday,...

Simone Seikaly

Experts issue winter storm warning for Wasatch Back, Park City

Weather forecasters are predicting a winter storm will move into Utah on Thursday and that it will stick around through Saturday.

9 hours ago

The Utah State Capitol stands in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tues...

Daniella Rivera

‘Damaging’ sexual assault language removed from crime data collection bill

A section in a crime data collection bill filed two weeks ago had sexual assault survivors, experts and advocates sounding alarm bells.

10 hours ago

The new Weber Metro Cold Case Task Force has gathered files for 29 homicides that remain unsolved. ...

Mike Anderson

Weber Metro Cold Case Task Force takes nonprofit approach to funding resources

A new cold case task force plans to use it's nonprofit status to fundraise their investigation of unsolved homicides.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Father of Sandy Hook victim writes book detailing case against conspiracy theories