Bomb ‘Suspect Images’ On NYP Front Page Cause Innocent Teen Grief

As Americans scour Boston Marathon bomb “suspect” images on the web in some nationwide amateur sleuthing, 17-year-old Salah Barhoun was horrified to discover himself at the center of a search for the culprits after the New York Post ran his picture on the paper’s front page with the headline “Bag Men: Feds seek these two pictured at Boston Marathon.”

Salah Barhoun says that he soon saw his picture, taken at the Boston Marathon amid crowds of thousands, plastered across the web and the subject of much speculation as many sought out the blast’s bomb suspect images.

Given the interest in his presence at the event, Barhoun was forced to go to authorities himself and allow his name to be cleared in the chaotic days after the Boston attacks.

The 17-year-old boy says he’d planned to run the Marathon but was unable and instead opted to watch. What he didn’t opt for is nationwide exposure on the cover of the New York Post due to that decision at a time when the same paper was claiming a “Saudi student” was being investigated over the attacks.

Somewhat heartbreakingly, Barhoun said:

“It’s the worst feeling that I can possibly feel … I’m only 17.”

Barhoun’s younger brother said the bomb suspect images on the Post cover had confused and worried their own mother following the attack, and the unnamed teen explained:

“It made her think he had done something wrong … My brother is not the bomber.”

While the FBI and other investigating agencies are said to have bomb suspect images they believe show men possibly connected to the attack, the Bureau has declined to release the specific images in question to the public, and any declaration of specific images as the ones in question are premature.