Boston: What We Know So Far

The city of Boston is waking up to the aftermath of one of the saddest days in its history, and is already beginning the process of mourning the victims, helping the survivors, and finding the perpetrators. You can see all our previous coverage of yesterday's events here, but keep checking this page throughout the day for new information on the investigation.

The Lastest

Sports Illustrated has revealed this week's cover, featuring a powerful and arresting image from the Marathon.

This Week's Cover: BOSTON bit.ly/17E9KDY // twitter.com/SInow/status/3?

? Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 16, 2013

The Victims

Now that time has passed to notify families, many of the victims' stories are starting to be revealed. Early on Tuesday morning, The Boston Globeidentified the 8-year-old boy who was one of the three people killed by one of the blasts. His name is Martin Richard, and he lived in Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. Martin's mother, Denise, and one of his sisters were also seriously injured and remain in the hospital with "grievous injuries." According to one report, the sister, who is six, lost one of her legs. Martin and the rest of his family were waiting at the finish line for his father, William, who ran in the Marathon. (Image via Facebook via CBS News)

Friends and neighbors have begun leaving messages of condolence outside the Richard's home (via WHDH's Nancy Chen, who has more pictures.)

A single candle lit in front of the 8-year-old who was killed's house. Martin Richard was from Dorchester. twitter.com/NancyChenNews/?

? Nancy Chen (@NancyChenNews) April 16, 2013

Apparently, there was some confusion that Martin's mother was the actress Denise Richards, but the names are not the same.

In another similar heartbreaking story of families waiting together at the finish line, The Globe tells of two adult brothers from the Boston area who were standing next to each other (and near the Richard family) when the bombs went off. Each of the brothers lost a leg in the explosion.

Among those who were injured, doctors say patients ranged in age from 3 to 62 and suffered a wide variety of injuries, from minor to severe cuts and bruises, burns, ear drum damage, head injuries, and some loss of limbs.

Doctors at Boston General Hospital said during a morning briefing that they conducted four amputations, but hope to save two more. Most of the injuries were to the lower extremities, suggesting the bombs were low to the ground. They also announced that they pulled "pellets and nails" from patients and believe they came from the bombs. The most serious injuries were to spectators, not runners.

In NYC our thoughts are with #Bostontonight. Our hopes are for #peace. #bostonmarathontwitter.com/illuminator99/?

? The Illuminator (@illuminator99) April 16, 2013

The Investigation

The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation of the bombings and last night they executed a search warrant on an apartment in Revere, Massachusetts. Authorities did not disclose the nature of the warrant or what drew them to the apartment, but police were seen removing several large bags from the building after 2:00 a.m.

Despite reports that an injured suspect was being held in a local hospital, police continue to say there are no suspects. They did question a student from Saudi Arabia who was tackled by a bystander after the blast, but he was fully cooperative and said he was only running away because he was frightened.

Updated visual of crime scene perimeter, via CityofBoston.gov: ow.ly/i/1TSaQ

? City of Boston (@NotifyBoston) April 16, 2013

The area around the marathon finish remains shut down as an active crime scene and will likely stay that way throughout the day on Tuesday. (The map above shows the cordoned off area.) Dozens of bags were left scattered around the area, dropped by fleeing spectators, and police say that each one must be inspected before being removed from the scene.

On Tuesday morning, several top officials, led by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick led a news conference about the investigation, but offered very little in the way of new information. Gov. Patrick confirmed that "two and only two" explosive devices were found and any reports of other devices were not true. He also confirmed that over 150 176 people were injured. A prayer service will be held on Wednesday.

The FBI also confirmed that were no threats made before the Marathon and no imminent threats since that time. The agent in charge did not comment on other aspects of the case, including details about the bombs themselves or how they were made and detonated.

Many other officials spoke and most asked the public to continue to send tips including photographs and videos that might aid in the investigation. Investigators are obviously hoping that someone might have caught the bomber on tape. Police Commissioner Ed Davis also confirmed that there were 176 confirmed casualties presented at local hospitals, and 3 deaths.?

Beyond that, not much was offered other than encouragement, support, and vows to find the bomber or bombers and bring them to justice. Here are some other quotes from the briefing:

Mayor Tom Menino: "Yesterday, terror was brought to the city of Boston.... Boston is a strong city. The city will get through this."?

Mass. Senator Elizabeth Warren: "The president is actively involved."

Rick Deslauriers, FBI Special Agent in Charge: "Our mission is clear: To bring to justice those responsible for the marathon bombing... Expect to see agents conducting the investigation throughout the Boston area. There are no known additional threats." He later added, "We will go to the end of the earth."

Gene Marquez, ATF: "We have 30 forensic specialists en route or on scene." Rumors of as many as 7 devices were not true. If you have photos or video, please contact authorities. "Crime scene will take several days to process."?

Carmen Ortiz, U.S. Attorney: "This is an active and ongoing investigation."

Ed Davis, Boston Police Commissioner: "Units from New York and Baltimore" are helping. Securing all video in the area is "basic investigative protocol." Ask public to submit photos, including the time they were taken.

Dan Conley, Boston District Attorney: "Make no mistake: an act of cowardice and of this severity cannot be justified or explained. It can only be answered."

The Bombs

CBS News and the Associate Press have new updates on the bombs themselves. According to anonymous law enforcement sources, "the explosives were in 6-liter pressure cookers and placed in black duffel bags. The person says the explosives were placed on the ground and contained shards of metal, nails and ball bearings."

Official tells CBS News the two Boston bombs were made to look like discarded property; unknown if bombs were in garbage cans

? CBS News (@CBSNews) April 16, 2013

More Images

Unclaimed runner's bags from the Boston Marathon are seen in Boston, Massachusetts, April 15, 2013. (REUTERS/Jessica Rindaldi)

Here's a new video taken by a runner in the Boston Marathon as the explosions happened in front of them.

The Next Marathon

Officials in London say they are reviewing the security procedures for this weekend's marathon, in light of the incident in Boston. Nearly 40,000 runners and more than 500,000 spectators are expected for Sunday's race, which is one of the six "major" world marathons, along with Boston. Obviously, security was already on high alert for such a major public event, as it will be for the funeral of Margaret Thatcher, which will be held tomorrow. However, London has also gotten used to securing these events after last summer's Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee festivities, which went off without incident. Prince Harry will present awards to the winners and is still planning to attend.

Tuesday in Boston

Boston is "open for business" according to Mayor Thomas Menino, but there are a few places that won't be opening due to the blasts. It's spring break week for Boston Public Schools so all schools were already scheduled to be closed today. A few local colleges, including Emerson College and Berklee College of Music, are also closed today. All trains are running, but the station closest to the blasts, Copley Square, is closed. The JFK library, where fire broke out yesterday, will remain closed. Some downtown offices have limited access so people who can, are working from home.

Tonight's home game for the Boston Celtics has been canceled and will not be re-scheduled since the regular season ends Wednesday and it will not affect playoff seedings. It will be the first time since the 82-game season began in 1967, that a team will not play the full schedule of games.

President Obama has ordered U.S. flags across the nation to be blown at half-staff until Saturday.

RT @nbcnightlynews: PHOTO: Flag lowered to half-staff at the White Housetwitpic.com/cjskb5

? CNBC (@CNBC) April 16, 2013

Situation at Logan

Around 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, a full ground stop was ordered at Boston's Logan Airport have a U.S. Airways flight that had just landed was on its way to Philadelphia Chicago was stopped on the tarmac and passengers evacuated. It's not known at the moment if the incident is related to the Marathon investigation, police have surrounded the jet on the runway and reportedly ordered two male passengers off, reportedly because they were speaking Arabic. (In a separate incident, a terminal at New York's LaGuaradia Airport is also being evacuated after a suspicious package scare.) A passenger onboard tweeted that the situation is now all clear. (The same goes for a temporary situation at New York's LaGuardia airport.) . (In a separate incident, a terminal at New York's LaGuaradia Airport is also being evacuated after a suspicious package scare.) A passenger onboard tweeted that the situation is now all clear. (The same goes for a temporary situation at New York's LaGuardia airport.)

DEVELOPING: Situation on tarmac of Boston's Logan Airport; plane passengers being unloaded bit.ly/119ouqFtwitter.com/NewsBreaker/st?

? NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) April 16, 2013

"An Act of Terror"

President Obama delivered a short address from the White House Press Room before noon, calling the attack a "heinous and cowardly act" and (for the first time) referring to it as act of terror. He didn't offer any other updates on the investigation, saying we don't yet know who is responsible or what their motive is, but "all resources" are being deployed for the case. He did not take questions from the media.

Here are some other passages from the President's statement:

"This was a heinous and cowardly act. And given what we now know about what took place, the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism. Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians it is an act of terror. What we don?t yet know, however, is who carried out this attack, or why; whether it was planned and executed by a terrorist organization, foreign or domestic, or was the act of a malevolent individual. That's what we don't yet know. And clearly, we?re at the beginning of our investigation. ...

It will take time to follow every lead and determine what happened. But we will find out. We will find whoever harmed our citizens and we will bring them to justice...

We also know this -- the American people refuse to be terrorized. ...

I know that even as we protect our people and aggressively pursue this investigation, the people of Boston will continue to respond in the same proud and heroic way that they have thus far -- and their fellow Americans will be right there with them. ...

What I?ve indicated to you is what we know now. We know it was bombs that were set off. We know that obviously they did some severe damage. We do not know who did them. We do not know whether this was an act of an organization or an individual or individuals. We don?t have a sense of motive yet. So everything else at this point is speculation.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/boston-know-far-103023991--politics.html

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