(Posted June 3, 2013)

Tragedy struck in Boston on April 15, 2013 when two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon. Reports circulated constantly during the search for the suspects responsible.
Tragedy struck in Boston on April 15, 2013 when two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon. Reports circulated constantly during the search for the suspects responsible.

On April 15 competitors and spectators at the annual Boston Marathon were injured when two improvised explosive devices were detonated near the finish line. The two perpetrators, Tamerlan Tsarnaev and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, were both immigrants from Chechnya. After a long manhunt and shootout the brothers were caught and taken into custody. Tamerlan died as a result of the shootout and Dzhokar was interrogated and is awaiting further legal action. Here, Juniata students share their reactions about the media coverage of the bombings and the resulting manhunt.


Greg Stewart '16, Sharpsburg, Md.:

I felt that there were a lot of inaccuracies during the coverage of the bombings. Facts kept changing and different stations were giving different details. It was hard to get a read on what exactly was going down.

Doug Pierce '16, Newtown, Conn.:

Well I thought that the media was doing their best to keep up with a story that was happening as they reported it. With modern technology it is very easy to get information fast and it doesn't always turn out to be from a reputable source. That being said, I think they did a good job of covering what was currently taking place.

Tommy Gill '16, Altoona, Pa.:

I feel like the media made it seem like this was some sort of Islamic plot. A lot of the news stations focused heavily on the fact that the brothers were Muslim.

Charles Sweigert '16, Lancaster, Pa.:

The media really did a good job of keeping their story up to date. Almost immediately after the bombings I remember reading about it online. As more information was discovered it was revealed fairly quickly.

Brandon Gallagher '16, Hollidaysburg, Pa.:

Well considering that it was the biggest story in the nation at the time, every media outlet was trying to get behind the story. They all were being dramatic about the bombings, not that they weren't dramatic. It just seemed like everyone thought that this was the beginning of a war or something.

Josh Maier '16, Juniata Online Journalist

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.