6 False Things You Heard About the Boston Bombing


[Falsely] Reported by: The New York Post, which stated on Monday that a Saudi national had been taken into custody as a "suspect."

A cell phone shutdown, five more potential bombs, and other faulty reports.

—By and | Tue Apr. 16, 2013 | Mother Jones

There's still a lot we don't know about Monday's bombing near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. We don't know if the bombs were set off by one person or multiple people; we don't know if it was an act of foreign or domestic terrorism; we don't what the perpetrators(s) look like; we don't know what the motive was. One thing we do know: Many of the initial reports on media outlets on Monday and early Tuesday have proven to be false.

That's inevitable during a breaking news event—and in this case, even some law enforcement officials did more to confuse than to clarify. But one day later, here's a look at some early storylines that have fizzled upon further scrutiny:

1.) Cell Phone service shut down in Boston. Reported by: the Associated Press, which credited the information to an unidentified "law enforcement official." But cell phone service continued uninterrupted in the city. Verizon spokesman Torod Neptune told Mother Jones the reports were "incorrect," and that service providers were not asked to shut down.

2.) Explosions kill 12 people. Reported by: The New York Post. As of 6:58 p.m. on Monday, the tabloid's website was still touting the 12 dead figure on a splash on its website. (It has since been updated.) The Boston Police department has only confirmed three dead, along with 176 injuries (including 17 people in critical condition).

3.) Bombing at JFK library. Reported by: Multiple sources, thanks to a series of ambiguous statements from the Boston Police Department. Boston police commissioner Edward Davis said at a press conference Monday that the Boston Police were investigating a link between an incident at the JFK library and the marathon bombing. Time's Andrew Katz reported on a "possible" device, citing police scanners. By Tuesday morning, the JFK library incident had been officially classified as a "mechanical fire"—as library officials had maintained all along.

4.) Saudi national in custody. Reported by: The New York Post, which stated on Monday that a Saudi national had been taken into custody as a "suspect." Although investigators said they were speaking with a Saudi man who was in the United States on a student visa and was being treated for injuries at a nearby hospital, no one has been taken into custody, and at the moment there are no suspects.

5.) Five additional incendiary devices found. Reported by: The Wall Street Journal, which initially said that counterterrorism officials had found five unexploded devices around the Boston area—separate from the two detonated bombs. The New York Times reported three unexploded devices, including one at the corner of St. James and Trinity Streets, and another outside the city in Newton. But the Journal walked back its report quickly and Newton police rebutted the bomb report. On Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick confirmed that "two and only two explosive devices were found yesterday," although many packages were investigated. "There were no unexploded explosive devices found." Both articles have since been updated.

6.) Police have security footage of a "possible suspect." Reported by: CBS News, citing "one law enforcement official." According to a Monday afternoon CBS News report, authorities had found a video of an individual carrying backpacks on Boylston Street minutes before the first explosion. This would be news to the Boston Police Department and the FBI, both of whom say they are still looking for a suspect and have no description of what he or she might look like.

Views: 120

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Don Carlos
Friday, June 12 @ The Chapel, SF

DaBoyDame w/ Keyshia Cole, Plies +more
Friday, June 19 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Buju Banton & Stephen Marley
Saturday, June 20 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Khalid
Friday, June 26 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Thee Sacred Souls
Saturday, Aug 15 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Jungle
Wednesday, Oct 7 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Connect

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
1 minute ago
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

J Boog at THE UC THEATRE, Berkeley

June 16, 2026 from 8pm to 11:30pm
June 16, 2026 J BoogTHE UC THEATRE 2036 University Ave.Berkeley, CADoors: 7:00 pm. Start: 8:00 pm>> BUY TICKETSSee More
26 minutes ago
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

Don Carlos at The Chapel, SF

June 12, 2026 from 8pm to 11pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. Friday, Jun 12, 2026 DON CARLOSThe Chapel, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA Doors: 8:00PM | Show: 9:00PM>> BUY TICKETS…See More
1 hour ago
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Jhaysings Blends Love, Culture, and Soulful Energy on New Single “Emotions”

Nigerian Afrobeat's artist Jhaysings is making waves once again with the release of his latest single, "Emotions" Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, Jhaysings has spent the last seven years building a name for himself as a singer, songwriter, producer, and mix engineer. His dedication to developing a unique sound has earned him recognition from…See More
18 hours ago
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
20 hours ago
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
23 hours ago
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

The Vibrant sounds of Latin American & Haitian Music delivers the steamy single; "Latin Nights" by Shaney Poo

The vibrant sounds of the Latin American and Haitian music scenes are about to converge in an exhilarating new single: **"Latin Nights"** by Shaney Poo. This track not only showcases the diverse rhythms of Latin music but also pays homage to the rich cultural tapestry of the Haitian community. A Fusion of Sounds"Latin Nights" is a celebration of the rich musical heritages that define both Latin and Haitian cultures. With infectious beats and dynamic melodies, Shaney Poo invites listeners on a…See More
Sunday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Friday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Wednesday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Neo-Soul Meets Destiny: Jewelz Patrick Unveils “From Another Lifetime”

Detroit-born neo-soul artist Jewelz Patrick has released his latest R&B soulful pop single, "From Another Lifetime," which dropped February 2nd, 2026. The track showcases Patrick's signature blend of neo-soul, funk, and jazz hop elements that have become his musical trademark."From Another Lifetime" is a star-crossed love story told across past, present,…See More
Jun 2
Editor's Pick posted videos
Jun 2

© 2026   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service