‘Dark-skinned’ bombing suspect identified

wnd/ Joe Kovacs

Authorities probing the Boston Marathon bombings believe they have identified a suspect, according to broadcast reports, but there are conflicting reports whether the suspect has been arrested.

The suspect, described as a “dark-skinned” male, was picked up on security camera footage from the Lord and Taylor department store along the marathon route, near the site of the second explosion.

It was reported the suspect could be seen on camera dropping a black bag.

The source also indicated video from a Boston television station contributed to the progress in the hunt for the party responsible for the April 15 explosions that left at least three dead and some 175 injured.

After initial reports saying the suspect was in custody, CNN reporter Fran Townsend said, “There’s not somebody in custody or arrested. The situation is very fluid. They’re working to positively identify this individual … There has been a misunderstanding … as law enforcement tries to work through this.”

Justice Department officials told CNN’s Joe Johns that as of 2:30 p.m., there was indeed no one in custody.

Radio host Rush Limbaugh scorched CNN for withholding details about the suspect, as the network noted the details were sensitive.

“If they had news that the perpetrator here was white, we would have had height, weight, clothes, facial hair,” Limbaugh said. “We would know everything. We would know what radio show the guy listens to, what TV network he watches, what publications he reads. We would know everything there is if the guy was white.”

A news conference has been scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern to provide more information.

Previously, investigators had discovered a lid to a pressure cooker police said they think was used to construct the bombs.

The FBI has been seeking leads into who may have been responsible for the attack, even pleading with the public for help after admitting they had no suspects Tuesday.

“The person who did this is someone’s friend, neighbor or relative,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers said at a news conference.

“Someone knows who did this. The cooperation of the community will play a crucial role in the investigation,” he said.

“We are asking anyone who may have heard someone speak about the marathon or the date of April 15 in any way that indicated he or she may target the event,” DesLauriers said.