The
deadly blasts that shook the finish line Monday at the Boston Marathon have sparked a handful of conspiracy theories, with some speculating that the attacks were the work of far-right extremists or a mysterious man on a roof.
Two explosions tore through the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday within 30 seconds of each other, leaving three people dead and hundreds injured. The tragedy is being handled as an act of terror, according to the White House, and a person of interest is reportedly being detained at a hospital.
But that information doesn’t quell the conspiracy theorists on social media. Here are the top conspiracy theories swirling about the Boston Marathon bombings.
1. False Flag
Alex Jones, a radio host and the country's preeminent conspiracy theorist, suggests the attacks were a "false flag" operation devised by the government with the goal of ultimately expanding the Transportation Security Administration's reach to sporting events.
2. Mystery Man on Roof
Dan Lampariello, a spectator at the race, snapped a photo of the second bomb exploding, and unintentionally captured the silhouette of a man standing on the roof of a building right above the blast. The photo quickly went viral.
Police reportedly cracked down on rooftop parties along the marathon route, leaving Twitter users stumped as to why someone would be up there.
"Who's the guy on the roof?" one Twitter user asked. "He's not reacting to the detonation."
"The picture of the guy on the roof overlooking the second explosion is the spookiest thing I have ever seen," another wrote.
3. Patriots' Day and Tax Day
Some theorized that because Monday marked Patriots' Day, a state holiday in Massachusetts, as well as Tax Day, the bombings must have been the work of far-right, anti-government extremists.
Others noted that many past national incidents have coincided with Patriots' Day, like the raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, and the Oklahoma City Bombing.
4. The Facebook Page
Screenshots of a Facebook page started floating around Monday shortly after the bombings. The page, which was reportedly created two days prior and has since been deleted, was a memorial page with the title, "Thoughts Go out To All Those Involved In The Boston Explosions." But how could a memorial page be set up before the bombings occurred?
5. Bomb Drills
The
Boston Bomb Squad was reportedly conducting "controlled drills" earlier in the day, NBC Local 15 reported.
"They kept making announcements to the participants do not worry, it's just a training exercise," spectator Ali Stevenson told NBC.
Conspiracy theorists latched onto this idea, and believe it's just more evidence to suggest the police and government were involved.
Twitter users also added to this theory by pointing out that police reportedly told people at the marathon to "be calm" before the bombs even went off, signifying that the government and police were somehow in on it.
Related stories:
Obama Notified About Explosions at Boston Marathon
US Official: 2 More Explosives Found at Marathon
Marathon Legend Bill Rodgers: My Daughter Narrowly Avoided Blasts