BREAKING NEWS—Three people are reported dead after explosions at the Boston Marathon.
At 2:50 P.M. two explosions went off within 15 seconds of each other near the finish line of the Boston Marathon at Boylston Street. It appears the bombs were planted behind the barricades where spectators were cheering on runners. The National Guards already present at the marathon jumped into action immediately, helping the injured and organizing unharmed runners and spectators.
Although the bombs are believed to have been relatively small devices, the power of the explosions was felt from 500 feet away.
According to Mass General Hospital, 22 victims are being treated right now, 6 in critical condition and 5 in serious condition (the remaining 11 are still being evaluated). There are rumors of amputation surgeries being performed.
The televised images of the scene are gruesome; victims with slashed clothing and visible lacerations on the face, arms, and legs being taken away in wheelchairs and gurneys are shown.
The Associated Press reports that two more explosive devices found near scene around 4:00 P.M, but this has not confirmed by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis at his 5:00 PM televised address.
An explosion at the JFK Library occurred soon after the shock on Boylston Street. It is unknown if the incidence is related, but Police Commissioner Davis says the Boston Police Department is treating these three explosions as “an ongoing event.” There are reports that a contained fire in the mechanical room of the library is to blame for this added commotion.
Precautions are being taken across the East Coast: Pennsylvania Avenue has been closed off in Washington D.C., and Mayor Bloomberg has called for increased security and monitoring at major centers in NYC.
Despite the 400 National Guards present at the marathon, this act of terrorism was still able to be executed at this cherished public event. It is unknown whether we have witnessed an act of domestic or international terrorism at the present.
President Obama will be making a live address at 6:10 P.M. to discuss this afternoon’s tragedy.
UPDATES
Monday:
6:06 P.M. At least 86 people are reported to be injured now
6:13 P.M. “We will find out who did this and will hold them accountable” – President Obama
Tuesday:
4:38 P.M. The Huffington Post reports “The explosives used in the deadly Boston Marathon bombing were contained in 6-liter pressure cookers and hidden in black duffel bags on the ground”
Wednesday:
2:00 P.M. A letter containing poison Ricin was intercepted before reaching President Obama; the FBI says there is no apparent connection to the Boston Marathon bombings.
2:21 P.M. According to the AP, a suspect has just been taken into custody in connection to the Boston Marathon bombings.
2:35 P.M. Boston Police Dept. @Boston_Police Tweets: Despite reports to the contrary there has not been an arrest in the Marathon attack.
Friday:
10:52 A.M. Boston is on lock-down today with one of the suspected bombers of Monday’s attack on the loose. Brothers Dzhokar A. Tsarnaev, 19, and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, were identified yesterday to be probable suspects after inspecting video footage of the moments preceding and following the explosions at the marathon. Last night in Watertown, MA, police confronted the Tsarnaev’s in a shoot-out; Tamerlan was killed.
9:20 P.M. Suspect Dzhokar A. Tsarnaev is now in custody.
9:33 P.M. Boston Police press conference being broadcast live to confirm suspect’s status to the American people