Huffington Post journalist Ryan Reilly mistakes ear plugs for rubber bullets and receives Twitter mockery

TWITTER users respond to a reporter’s mistake with their customary restraint and courtesy. Not.

Journo mistakes earplugs for bullets

IT was a simple Twitter mistake that had a reporter ducking for cover.

Huffington Post journalist Ryan Reilly — who is covering the Ferguson riots in the US — made his Twitter followers do a double-take, check again to make sure he wasn’t joking, then double over in laughter.

It was all over this tweet.

I believe these are rubber bullets, can anyone confirm? #Fergurson pic.twitter.com/iCsFi6qoIa

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 17, 2014

After some disbelieving responses, Reilly apologised, but not before a tonne of grade “A” mockery was served up to him via Twitter,

Here are some of the best.

"journalist" Bah #RubberBullets @ryanjreilly pic.twitter.com/6INO0WkQQV

— Dave (@BigFatDave) August 18, 2014

.@ryanjreilly Hey bro, I'm trying to load rubber bullets in my high-capacity mag but it's not working. Can you help? pic.twitter.com/LRV0OwGoFo

— J.R. Salzman (@jrsalzman) August 18, 2014

I believe this is a bottle of tear gas, can anyone confirm? pic.twitter.com/b3U0DAWcab

— J.R. Salzman (@jrsalzman) August 17, 2014

Wheres the UN!? #confirmed!! RT @c_rocker191: Hollow tips ... Lethal @SooperMexican @ryanjreilly pic.twitter.com/BRiEzsEsLN

— el Sooper (@SooperMexican) August 17, 2014

#confirmed! MT @LADowd: Found what appears to be an expended bomb shell in #Ferguson @ryanjreilly. #CanAnyoneConfirm? pic.twitter.com/FLhK4e8ect

— el Sooper (@SooperMexican) August 17, 2014

Oh, good. @ThePeoplesCube is stealing jokes without attribution. Even using the original pics. pic.twitter.com/DwT6ggo693

— Matt (@mdrache) August 18, 2014

I believe this may be the blast cap off a grenade used in #Ferguson. Can anyone confirm? pic.twitter.com/lnGp74ktNU

— Mean Internet Jerk (@DefendWallSt) August 17, 2014

@michellemalkin The U.S. Army swarms on #Ferguson to control looting - can anyone confirm? pic.twitter.com/bhVNe6vuSi @TwitchyTeam

— ✪Tom O'Halloran✪ (@TPO_Hisself) August 17, 2014