*Despite the fact that there is no information regarding who was or might be behind the attacks we already have commenters blaming the attack on “Islamic Terrorists.”
Several bombs have rocked the finishing line of the Boston Marathon which is held every year on Patriots’ Day.
Patriots’ Day commemorates the anniversary of the first battles of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord. I want to point out that Timothy McVeigh bombed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma two days after Patriot’s Day in 1995.
At that time much was made of so-called “Islamic terrorism” being behind the attacks with Steven Emerson infamously blaming the attack on Muslims while being interviewed by CNN.
Deadly explosions hit Boston Marathon in US
UPDATE V:
AlJazeeraPolice say at least two people are dead and 23 injured after explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
A Rhode Island state police officer, who was running in the event, said on Monday he saw at least two dozen people with very serious injuries, including missing limbs.
Injured spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.
The stragglers in the 40km trek were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts, as a Massachusetts General Hospital sokesperson said it had four patients from the incident under evaluation and was expecting more.
The White House said President Barack Obama had been notified about the incident and directed his administration to provide whatever assistance necessary for the investigation.
The explosion occurred about three hours after the winners crossed the line,as thousands of runners finished the 117th running of the Boston Marathon, with crowds watching and cheering at the finish.
Competitors and race organisers were crying as they fled the chaos. Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.
“There are a lot of people down,” said one man, whose bib no 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter.
He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg.
A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
Neither race officials nor public officials could immediately estimate the number or degree of injuries, but the Globe reported at least 12 people were injured.
Runner Laura McLean of Toronto said she heard two explosions outside the medical tent.
“There are people who are really, really bloody,” McLean said. “They were pulling them into the medical tent.”
Loud explosion
About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world’s oldest and most prestigious marathon.
TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.
Boston Marathon organisers said the two bombs exploded near the finish line, but did not give an indication of the blasts.
“We are working with law enforcement to understand what exactly has happened,” the orgaisers said on the marathon’s Facebook page.
Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race, when the blasts went off.
“I was expecting my husband any minute,” she said.
“I don’t know what this building is … it just blew.
“Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere.
“Something hit my head. I don’t know what it was. I just ducked.”
Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this brutal bombing. Casualties are expected to increase.
Despite the fact that there is no information regarding who was or might be behind the attacks we already have commenters blaming the attack on “Islamic Terrorists.”
Robert Spencer was eager to blame the Mooslims despite no credible reports:
Take the trolls on #MyJihad twitter and on Blaze.com:
UPDATE I: A third explosion has occurred at the JFK Library.
UPDATE II: The JFK library “explosion” is being ruled a fire now.
UPDATE III:
News reports from Revere, Mass., said a large police presence was focused on an apartment complex in the Northeast Boston suburb in the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings.
A Boston Fox News affiliate reported that police officers pulled over a person of interest who was seen “driving past the State Police barracks a number of times.” CBS affiliate WBZ-TV reported that an apartment was the target of a search warrant, and that federal agents, firefighters, and local authorities were on the scene.
The Boston Herald reported that the uniformed officers in Revere included members of the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security. The officers did not speak to reporters on site.
UPDATE IV: Roommate of Saudi Man: ‘I Don’t Think He Could Do That’
The roommate of the Saudi Arabia man whose apartment was searched by Boston Marathon bombing investigators today said he doubts his friend played a role in what Governor Deval Patrick today called a terrorist attack.
UPDATE V: More On Pressure Cooker Bomb 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, a person briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.One of the explosives contained shards of metal and ball bearings, and another contained nails, the person said.
A second person briefed on the investigation confirmed that at least one of the explosives was made out of a pressure cooker. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.
CLICK HERE for more.
UPDATE VI: In eerie parallel to events after 9/11, politicians have been sent letters filled with deadly Ricin powder.
UPDATE VII: CNN is reporting that the bomb suspect has been identified.
UPDATE VIII:
“Source: ‘Significant progress,’ but no arrest in bombing”
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/boston-blasts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
(h/t: rookie)
UPDATE IX: Two suspects were identified by the FBI: Tamerlan Tsarnev and Djohar Tsarnev, brothers from Chechnya.
UPDATE X: Tamerlan Tsarnev was killed in a reported firefight with police, his brother Djohar Tsarnev is still at large.
UPDATE XI: Djohar Tsarnev was captured last night hiding under the tarp of a boat. We still have not been informed of a possible motive though there is a lot of speculation.