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
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
Join the conversation as a VIP Member