That couldn’t have happened, could it have? Oh, yes. It did.

I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers — Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 18, 2014

Good Lord, man (term used loosely). What in the hell is wrong with you?

Hayes provided no context for that tweet whatsoever. In fact, a previous tweet served only to inflame further:

At Chambers and West Florissant. Crowd of about 40-50 here at has station. Riot police fanned out. Tactical vehicle just pulled up — Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 18, 2014

There was a traffic accident in Ferguson Sunday night, but it is unclear if he was referring to that.

Tim pool reporting from chambers that police there were called for car accident no shots fired #Ferguson — Chris B (@slugcoach) August 18, 2014

Here's another one. They're live "@babysoutonbail: A cop says the body on Chambers was from a car accident #Ferguson http://t.co/jmIRCvhfje" — Jaz (@JazmineJanay) August 18, 2014

Because, again, no context was provided by Hayes. Perhaps because “tough guy” Hayes was too busy screeching about being “threatened” with mace.

His irresponsible and inflammatory tweet was retweeted over 4,500 times. Dangerously fanning the flames, Hayes? Achieved.

Is there a dead body in the middle of Chambers #Ferguson — Veronica (@Oktobersfynest) August 18, 2014

@chrislhayes Oh my God. Are you serious? — BJ Schwartz (@BJ_Schwartz) August 18, 2014

Oh SHIT RT @chrislhayes I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers — Ron. (@RonnieSnark) August 18, 2014

@chrislhayes oh god no — FacePaulm Revere (@derprevere) August 18, 2014

WHAT THE FUCK?! RT @chrislhayes: I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers — princess kelsey. (@_kelsology) August 18, 2014

RT @Katie_Speak: Jesus. #ferguson –> RT @chrislhayes: I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers — Craig Spaulding (@craigspaulding) August 18, 2014

Body supposedly lying in the road on Chambers… #Ferguson #Livestream — Melissa (@PennyDreadful81) August 18, 2014

@chrislhayes omg. I can't belIeve this is happening. — Jessica (@JessicaGoldstei) August 18, 2014

https://twitter.com/secret123ind/status/501225677568634880

Oh no. WTH?! RT "@chrislhayes: I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers" #Ferguson — Amarillys Rodriguez (@amarillys415) August 18, 2014

Holy crap. RT @BuzzFeedNews: #Ferguson RT @chrislhayes: I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers — José Medina (@josemedinajr) August 18, 2014

Hope you are proud of yourself, Hayes.

Other Twitter users swiftly and rightly called out Hayes for his dangerous irresponsibility.

@chrislhayes what an irresponsible thing to tweet! — Andrew Dye (@ADyeWSJ) August 18, 2014

This puts every #Vaguebook friend I have to shame. “@chrislhayes: I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers” — KimmyDarling (@KimmyDarling) August 18, 2014

Annnnnnd? "@chrislhayes: I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers” — schlute, M.D. (@coolhandschlute) August 18, 2014

Anyone wanna guess how this will end? @chrislhayes pic.twitter.com/2sDG0kEuH2 — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) August 18, 2014

@chrislhayes We are anxiously awaiting your report on the dead body, Chris. Don't leave us in suspense (or w/ what you seem to be implying). — Ted Frank (@Colonel_Ted) August 18, 2014

@chrislhayes any word on that dead body you saw on Chambers? — Blake St. Louis (@theblake1980) August 18, 2014

@aterkel @chrislhayes I think journalists should delete tweets that turn out to be untrue…we'll see if we hear in the morning about body — Kelli – with an i (@CanadianKelli) August 18, 2014

Uh, so no mention of this in the NYT. RT@chrislhayes I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers. — Stephen Rodrick (@stephenrodrick) August 18, 2014

We're still looking for a follow up. RT @chrislhayes I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers — Jose Galvan (@Jose_Galvan) August 18, 2014

And an exit suggestion for Mr. Hayes:

Call 911? Alert the police? Don't tweet about it. RT @chrislhayes: I'm looking at what appears to be a dead body in the middle of Chambers — BiasedGirl (@BiasedGirl) August 18, 2014

But that wouldn’t fan the flames and push a narrative that the media wants now, would it?

Despicable, Mr. Hayes. We’d say you should be ashamed, but it’s already quite clear that you have no shame. Nor any professional ethics or integrity. Case in point:

On @msnbc, @chrislhayes just said "we don't know the facts" on the autopsy. Then goes on to wildly speculate about it. #LeanForward — Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) August 18, 2014

Update:

Unreal! Half a day later, Chris Hayes admits ‘dead body’ in Ferguson wasn’t really a dead body

What an atrocity he is.

Related:

Ferguson riots have ‘officially gone too far’: Chris Hayes threatened with mace

Aching sides! ‘Tough guy’ Chris Hayes warns Ferguson police; Lack of self-awareness astounds