CNN’s Jake Tapper Exposes Pipe Bomb Suspect's Identity as Not Matching Initial Description in Photo Broadcasted

On Thursday, CNN anchor Jake Tapper described the Washington, D.C. pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole as a 30-year-old white man during The Lead, shortly before showing images revealing the suspect was actually Black.

Tapper reported, Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old white man from the D.C. suburbs, faces charges for transporting an explosive device across state lines and causing malicious destruction through explosion. Minutes later, the broadcast included photos of Cole that clearly contradicted this description.

The FBI apprehended Cole on Thursday morning, nearly five years after a masked individual was seen on surveillance placing bombs at the DNC and RNC headquarters on January 5, 2021. Authorities identified Cole through license plate and cell tower data, placing him at the scene.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, This arrest is the outcome of careful police work and cooperation on a case that remained unresolved for four years. Todays operation enhances public safety.

This is not CNNs first instance of misidentifying a suspects race. In July, the network inaccurately reported a shooting suspect as male, possibly white, a claim echoed by anchor Erin Burnett, despite social media circulation of a photo showing otherwise. The individual was later identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura.

Sources:

• CNN’s Jake Tapper Identifies Pipe Bomb Suspect as ‘White Man’ Before Airing Photo Showing Otherwise