There were conflicting reports early Wednesday afternoon about whether a suspect was or was not in custody. As of 11:15 a.m. PST, sources with knowledge of the investigation were telling NPR's Tom Gjelten that an arrest had not yet been made.
But CNN and the AP had been reporting that there a suspect in custody — or soon would be. CNN later reversed course, however, saying that additional sources were saying no one had been taken into custody. Meanwhile,The Boston Globe was saying "an arrest is imminent."
CNN later backtracked, though, and the Associated Press, at 11:47 a.m., said federal officials were denying reports of an arrest. But the AP said its source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stood by the information even after it was disputed.
The Boston Police set the record straight at 11:34 a.m. by tweeting that "Despite reports to the contrary there has not been an arrest in the Marathon attack."
The FBI also issued a statement that said: "Contrary to widespread reporting, no arrest has been made in connection with the Boston Marathon attack."