Terrorist bombing in Boston, Massachussetts today.

[Shorty82]

I'm posting this mainly for the non-Americans here who may have not heard the tragic news.

There has been a terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts today. At about 3:00 pm Eastern time, a little over four hours into the marathon, a bomb was detonated near the finish line and less than 30 seconds later another bomb went off a 50 to 100 yards down the marathon route. There are three confirmed deaths (one being an 8 year old child) and over 133 injured, many in severe to critical condition. Lots of people have severe injuries to their lower bodies and some had limbs blown off, including at least one man who lost both legs below the knees. These were shrapnel bombs, designed intentionally to cause a lot of severe injuries to a lot of people. At least three to five more bombs, including one at a hotel, were discovered and disarmed or destroyed before they could be detonated. The Boston police have discovered at least 5 suspicious packages and while they are not certain they are bombs they were suspicious enough to be destroyed. The Boston police has called in all off-duty officers and the National Guard has been mobilized (many were also already on hand assisting with the marathon). Police and emergency services across Massachusetts are sending assistance and Boston authorities have requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the FBI and the Secret Service. President Obama has ordered all available Federal resources and assistance to Boston. Federal law enforcement nationally has gone on high alert.

Thank God the other devices didn't go off before they were discovered and rendered harmless. I'm willing to bet those other devices were intended to go off shortly after the first explosions to harm the people who took shelter in those places and to harm the emergency responders.

New York City, Washington, D.C. and many other major cities have increased security in response. The NYPD has called in all off-duty officers and have increased security around Times Square and other areas. Security around the White House in Washington, D.C. has been increased. Locally, security at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota has gone on high alert. It is unknown at this time if this is a domestic or foreign attack. There are no suspects at this time but there are a few persons of interest being questioned by authorities.

There was a fire and small explosion at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston as well. It is not known for certain at this time if it related though authorities believe there may have been an incendiary device and it was intended as a distraction.

This attack, while devastating, could have been a lot worst. Luckily the other devices were discovered and taken care of before they could be detonated. Your prayers and good thoughts for the people and authorities in Boston would be appreciated.

It is amazing how people can come together and help those in need when things like this happen. According to a report I heard on the news earlier some people running in the marathon just kept running after the explosions, to hospitals to give blood to help the victims. The Red Cross has reported that thanks to the generosity of volunteer donors they have enough blood to meet the demand. In videos I've seen of the first explosion while a lot of people ran away many ran to the site of the explosion, to help the injured. A doctor that was very near by watching the marathon when the bomb went off immediately set to work helping the injured as did many other people.

Google has set up Person Finder to aid the search for loved ones in the aftermath of the attacks (src).

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl= ... 4bK1mmh7Tw

[Shorty82]

Update: Police searched an apartment in Revere, Massachusetts yesterday and were seen leaving with bags of material. They haven't said anything about a suspect yet but did confirm that the search was related to the attack. The bombs were packed with ball bearings to maximize casualties. Trauma surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital stated they performed several amputations by mid-evening Monday and also stated that many patients will require multiple operations. Boston Children's Hospital is caring for 8 children under the age the 15 injured in the attack, including a 2 year old with a head injury and a 9 year old with leg trauma.

This was the worst attack on American soil since September 11, 2001.

In London, organizers have stated the London Marathon scheduled for Sunday will go on despite the attack in Boston but security is being reviewed.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi- ... 8564.story

[Shorty82]

President Obama has ordered American flags to half staff as a mark of respect to the victims of this tragedy.

[INDENT]BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA



A PROCLAMATION



As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on April 15, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, April 20, 2013. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA[/INDENT]

[Shorty82]

BREAKING NEWS: A MIT Officer shot and killed by bombing suspects. One suspect dead, massive manhunt underway for the other after a car jacking and police chase. Potential explosive devices used against authorities and shots fired. A 20 block radius in Watertown has been cordoned off. Watertown residents are being ordered to remain indoors, away from doors and windows. They are also being ordered to not answer the door unless it is a clearly identified police officer. Police have exchanged fire with suspect. Pressure cookers found at a crime scene in Watertown. Reports of a pressure cooker bomb like the ones used at the Marathon being detonated in Watertown.

MTA suspending all service at the request of the authorities. MIT classes canceled for today. A gathering planned later today at MIT in honor of the deceased officer.

[Shorty82]

The suspects have been identified as coming from a Russian region near Chechnya. The second suspect, the one still at large, has been identified as Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/survi ... p/1104870/

[felinefan]

They got him already. His brother was the one that was killed by police. He's in serious condition at the same hospital some of his victims are being treated at. He can't talk due to a breathing tube, but last I heard, he was responding to questions by writing. The dead brother had Taliban/Al-Qaida videos on his computer.