On April 15, 2013, the explosions of two pressure cooker bombs were recorded at 2:49 p.m. EDT in Boston, Massachusetts at the Boston Marathon. The bombs killed three people and injured 264 others. The devices exploded near Boylston Street, close to the finish line. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, photographs and surveillance videos revealed two suspects with what was believed to be homemade bombs inside their backpacks. The alleged perpetrators were identified as Chenchen brothers Tarmelan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
Exchange of Gunfire and Search
The suspects allegedly shot one police officer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, carjacked one SUV, and initiated a storm of gunfire with Watertown, Massachusetts police officers. Dzhokhar was injured but escaped during the shootout, while his brother, Tarmelan, was killed. An unprecedented manhunt was undertaken on April 19, with thousands of law enforcement officers on foot and in vehicles searching the area in and around Watertown.
During the manhunt, people residing in Watertown were advised to stay indoors until the suspect was found. Around 7:00 p.m., one resident at home discovered that Dzokhar was hiding in a boat in the home’s backyard. Authorities arrested the suspect and took him to a hospital to treat gunshot injuries.
Watertown residents came out of hiding and lined the streets in a spontaneous parade, cheering police, firemen and first responders, and chanting, “USA! USA!”
The Suspects’ Real Motives
During subsequent interrogation, authorities asked the suspect, Dzhokhar, about his and his brother’s motives for the bombing. Dzhokhar stated that the real mastermind was his brother, Tamerlan. They were motivated by Islamic beliefs, the wars with Afghanistan and Iraq, and issues regarding self-radicalization. They were both connected to terrorist groups. Dzhokhar and his brother wanted to defend Islam from the criticism of the United States and decided to target the prestigious American marathon. He also added that they learned to make explosive devices from an online magazine based in Yemen.
According to the Chenchen Republic, any link of their country to the issues of Tsarnaev brothers was inaccurate. They stated that the brothers grew up in America and that their beliefs were molded there, including any terrorism issues.
Charges
On April 22, criminal charges were formally made against Dzokhar Tsarnaev in United States District Court in Massachusetts. The hearing took place while the suspect was hospitalized while recovering from gunshot injuries to the throat. The charges were use of illegal weapons for mass destruction, and the malicious destruction of property that resulted in death. These charges carry potential sentences of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Tsarnaev responded to questions by nodding. He said “no” when the judge asked him if he could afford to hire lawyers to defend him in court.
President Obama’s Response to the Incident
President Barrack Obama addressed the American people and stated the bombing was a form of terrorism that targeted innocent individuals. He also paid respect to the victims by ordering U.S flags to be flown at half-mast until April 20. A standing-room-only interfaith service was also held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston to honor the victims.
Boston’s Response to Victims
A week after the incident, websites like GoFundMe, GiveForward, FundRazr, Fundly, YouCaring raised $2 million for the bombing victims and their families. During the same time period, One Fund Boston and the charity concert Boston Strong collected well over $61 million for injured marathon victims.
Boston Strong
Boston officials, its citizens, and marathon runners everywhere, adopting the slogan “Boston Strong,” vowed to be undeterred by the bombing, and universally pledged to be at the next Boston Marathon in April, 2014.