The alleged gunman in this morning’s horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, has been identified as 24-year-old Ryan Lanza. And in their rush to learn more about Lanza, they turned to Facebook:
Photo on every network comes from Ryan Lanza FB page.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) December 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/Slate/status/279666296650612736
"That is the face of the young man, Ryan Lanza," WCBS-TV news anchor says as station flashes unconfirmed Facebook photo.
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) December 14, 2012
“Unconfirmed” is the operative word.
https://twitter.com/BenHowe/status/279668514363678722
It appears that they may have shone the spotlight on the wrong man:
https://twitter.com/Fletch788/status/279667463497588736
RT @kfcbarstool: The Ryan Lanza facebook account being passed around is not the shooter. http://t.co/y7DK6EJW That dude's life is ruined.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 14, 2012
Repeat RT @SimonMaloy: RT @MattBors: I'm FB friends with the profile being sent around. This is a real screen grab. http://t.co/2fmiTlXd
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) December 14, 2012
RT @AmandaMarcotte: I have a mutual friend with the Ryan Lanza on Facebook, one I trust: He verifies that the Facebook Lanza is posting.
— Allison Kilkenny (@allisonkilkenny) December 14, 2012
Looks like that Facebook page of the Ryan Lanza we linked to was incorrect one. Retracting previous Tweet: http://t.co/rugbimG9
— Slate (@Slate) December 14, 2012
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It’s the media’s job to inform the public, and in order to do so, they need to rigorously check their facts.
People are linking to rogue Facebook pages? Stop it.
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) December 14, 2012
What is wrong with ppl?!? RT @H_Linville: News outlets have gotten it wrong before, people. Don't tweet FB profile links.
— Mary #FlyTheW (@mchastain81) December 14, 2012
some are linking to a Facebook account claiming it is the CT shooter. It is NOT. Don't spread bad info that could cause further violence!
— Thomas Peters @ ? (@AmericanPapist) December 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/BenHowe/status/279670846077931522
Please read @BenHowe's last tweet — many are misidentifying the shooter and probably putting an innocent kid in danger.
— Teri Christoph (@TeriChristoph) December 14, 2012
To the media who posted the Facebook page of the wrong Ryan Lanza, this should be a lesson to you. But I know you'll do it again next time.
— Josh in Ohio Isolation (@FishJer) December 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/matthewhurtt/status/279671161737060352
Media outlets putting up social media pages/pics,& asking "Is this the shooter?" Way it works is you put up the story when you know it's him
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) December 14, 2012
I feel bad for the Ryan Lanza that is NOT the shooter. Dude is gonna have a hell of a day. Good job MSM, you've convicted another innocent.
— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) December 14, 2012
The race to be 1st continues "@iowaradioguy: Media spreading the wrong Ryan Lanza's Facebook profile. Way to ruin a kid's life. Holy cow."
— Heather Burnside (@HeatherRadio) December 14, 2012
The Facebook page has since been taken down:
Facebook has already taken down Ryan Lanza's Profile
— Peter Maxwell (@KHQPeterMaxwell) December 14, 2012
But the damage may already be done.
https://twitter.com/omar_aok/status/279676677007745024
https://twitter.com/errrica/status/279676141105709057
***
Update:
The media’s rush to finger the shooter may have made this horrible story even messier. Numerous outlets are now reporting that the shooter was in fact 20-year-old Adam Lanza and that Ryan Lanza is currently in police custody.
Now: Mix up with Ryan and Adam Lanza, and which one was the shooter. Also, dead shooter had Ryan Lanza's ID
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) December 14, 2012
RT @andreamorabito: Fox News now reporting Ryan Lanza is in custody, brother Adam is the shooter
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) December 14, 2012
FOX News just reported the shooter was 20 yr-old Adam Lanza and not his 24 year-old brother Ryan??
— Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) December 14, 2012
The mistake may have been the result of law enforcement officials’ error:
Authorities say they mixed information and gave it to the press. Told reporters Ryan Lanza was shooter, he isn't Adam Lanza is
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) December 14, 2012
One thing is definitely certain: only the most extreme caution will do.
Wow. I feel really bad for Ryan Lanza now.
— RBe (@RBPundit) December 14, 2012
News media not exactly covering itself with glory today. Getting it right is more important than getting it first.
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) December 14, 2012