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Teen Smeared On Today's NY Post Cover Isn't A Terrorist, Just Likes Running
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 18, 2013
Modified Apr 18, 2013
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The teen's Facebook page
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 18, 2013
Modified Apr 18, 2013
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Remember how this morning the NY Post's cover was all like, "Check out THESE two shady characters with their suspicious bags at the marathon, what's THAT about nudge nudge wink wink"? The tabloid, known for its probity and decorum, stopped short of reporting that the two men in the photo were responsible for the horrific Boston marathon bombing—it was just wondering if they might be the "bag men" who caused the carnage. Turns out the answer is no. In fact, one of the "men" is actually a High School student who went to the police yesterday to clear his name.
"Investigators have now cleared the two men whose pictures were circulated last night in an email among law enforcement officials," sources told The Post today. Fortunately, lynch mobs always refresh the Post's website before lighting their torches. And surely the Post's editor, Col Allan, is real sorry about smearing innocent people on the cover of his publication. Here's the statement he gave to Salon:
We stand by our story. The image was emailed to law enforcement agencies yesterday afternoon seeking information about these men, as our story reported. We did not identify them as suspects.
Ah of course; why report when insinuating is so much more fun? The Post's fable cited an email law enforcement officials sent among themselves that read "the attached photos are being circulated in an attempt to identify the individuals highlighted therein. Feel free to pass this around to any of your fellow agents elsewhere." Out of all the photos of marathon bystanders being examined by investigators, it's unclear why the Post chose these two to feature on the cover. Completely unclear.
The unidentified teenager's Facebook page was dug up on Reddit, where an investigation into the bombings has been overshadowed by fears that their speculation may cause vigilantism. Deadspin accessed the Facebook page before it was made private and reports that the teen was alarmed by the sudden media attention, writing, "Going to the court rightnow!! Shit is real. But u will see guys I'm did not do anything." He tells ABC, "It's the worst feeling that I can possibly feel… I'm only 17." But you're never too young to make the cover of the Post!
about whether the FBI plans to release photos of actual suspects today, but a press conference is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Tagged
boston marathon
boston marathon bombing
new york post
ny post
tabloids
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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