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Tag: Boston Police Department

  • DEVELOPING STORY: Boston Police Seek Public’s Help After Suspicious Package Left Near Department Of Homeland Security Vehicle

    This "person of interest" dropped a suspicious package near a Department of Homeland Security vehicle in downtown Boston this morning. Source: Boston Police Department.
    Source: Boston Police Department.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: There appears to be no evidence so far that the suitcase contained a bomb. Even so, the incident in Boston this morning shows that terrorism still is very much on the minds of police after the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 and after the attack in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 people on Dec. 2. Also: See 4:15 p.m. ET update below. Police have made an arrest and now are calling the subject a “suspect.” He earlier was called a “person of interest.”

    This (left) is a photo of a man the Boston Police Department is trying to identify after someone reportedly “dropped a suitcase by the rear tire of a marked [U.S.] Department of Homeland Security vehicle then left the area in a hurry” at about 9:50 a.m. today.

    The incident occurred in downtown Boston ” in the area of 408 Atlantic Avenue,” police said.

    Authorities detonated the suitcase in an abundance of caution after observing wires inside of it, Chief William Evans says in this WVCB video.

    “Officers are seeking the public’s assistance in locating and identifying the above person of interest in relation to this incident. Anyone with any information is asked to call District A-1 Detectives directly at (617) 343-4248,” the department said.

    UPDATE 4:15 P.M. ET U.S.A. Boston police say they and members of the Lawrence Police Department have arrested James Derepentigny, 50.

    “He is charged with Planting a Hoax Device and will be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court,” police said.

  • URGENT >> BULLETIN >> MOVING: Bombing Suspect In Custody, Boston Police Say

    BostonPDSuspectInCustodyURGENT >> BULLETIN >> MOVING: A suspect (Dzhokar Tsarnaev)  is “in custody” in the Boston Marathon bombing, the Boston Police Department announced on Twitter minutes ago . . .

    Boston PD on Twitter.

    UPDATE 9:07 P.M. EDT: As shown on U.S. television networks, residents of Watertown are applauding and cheering for police as they pass by in vehicles. Some chanted, “U-S-A! U-S-A!”

    UPDATE 9:19 P.M. EDT: Events in Boston appear to mark the first successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001. The unofficial death toll in Greater Boston stands at four, with dozens injured. Three people were killed by the twin blasts at Monday’s marathon. A police officer at the Massashusetts Institute of Technology was killed last night.

    One of the suspects — Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26 — was reported dead earlier today after a clash with police. His brother — Dzhokar Tsarnaev, 19 — is now in custody.

    UPDATE 9:22 P.M. From Boston Police on Twitter minutes ago:

    “In our time of rejoicing, let us not forget the families of Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu, Krystle Campbell and Officer Sean Collier.”

    UPDATE 9:30 P.M.  The FBI announced on its website at 9 p.m. that Dzhokar Tsarnaev is in custody.

    UPDATE 9:33 P.M. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said on TV that law enforcement brought its “A-game” on behalf of the victims.

    UPDATE 9:36 P.M. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz is speaking on behalf of victims, thanking law enforcement and expressing her pride in its effort.

    UPDATE 9:40 P.M. FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers spoke on behalf of victims and law enforcement.

    UPDATE 9:51 P.M. Boston Mayor Tom Menino on Twitter: “We got him”

    UPDATE 10 P.M. Dzhokar Tsarnaev is injured, and police described his condition as “serious.” Precise details of how the injuries were sustained have not immediately been released.

    UPDATE 10:05 P.M. President Obama thanks the people of Massachusetts and lauds law enforcement for “professionalism and bravery.” Says the United States will “determine what happened” and that the terrorists failed.

     

  • URGENT >> BULLETIN >> MOVING: Explosions At Boston Marathon

    breakingnews72URGENT >> BULLETIN >> MOVING: There are multiple reports of explosions at the Boston Marathon, with accompanying reports of injuries.

    U.S. television networks have interrupted regularly scheduled programming to bring breaking news. The situation is fluid. The cause is not yet known . . .

    The Boston Marathon is held each year on Patriot’s Day and is one of the most famous foot races in the world.

    Feed from US News & World Report.

    UPDATE: APPROX. 4:10 P.M. The Boston Police Department, via Twitter, is reporting at least 23 injured and two dead.

    UPDATE: APPROX. 4:18 P.M. NBC News, via Twitter, is reporting that “Small homemade bomb is preliminary cause of explosion at Boston Marathon, law enforcement officials tell NBC News.”

    UPDATE: APPROX. 4:50 P.M. On NBC, Massachussets Gov. Deval Patrick described today’s events at the marathon as an “attack.”

    UPDATE APPROX 5 P.M. The Associated Press is reporting that “cellphone service has been shut down in the Boston area to prevent any potential remote detonations of explosives.” The report quotes “a law enforcement official.”