#16: Wanted: Local Rodent

Year: 2009

Network: WSFB TV

In the rich tapestry of live news broadcast bloopers, here’s one that’s truly unforgettable. During a live TV segment, a news anchor unwittingly bestowed the title of “murder suspect” upon an unsuspecting hamster. Yes, you read that right. In an astonishing mix-up, the anchor inadvertently flashed an image of a hamster instead of the actual suspect.

Now, the real suspect in question, Rodney Stanger, was incarcerated in a Florida prison, linked to a serious crime involving the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl. The news anchor swiftly corrected her blunder, but not before viewers were left both bemused and bewildered by the hilarious mishap.