Terror At The Boston Marathon: 7 New Developments & The First Photo Of The Youngest Victim
Apr. 16 2013, Published 9:01 a.m. ET
We've got all the latest development in the wake of the bombing at Boston Marathon as of Tuesday morning.
1 - Latest Numbers
Officials say three people, including an 8-year-old boy named Martin Richard, died as result of the blast, and at least 144 others were injured, with 17 in critical condition. Officials say Martin had just hugged his father at the end of the finish line and then returned to his other family members when the first bomb exploded. Martin’s mother Denise is in the hospital after undergoing brain surgery, and his six-year-old sister lost a leg in the blast. Another sibling was not injured.
At least 10 children are currently being treated at local hospitals. Many of the 23,000 runners were still competing at the time of the two explosions, which detonated at the finish line at Boston's Copley Square during a 10-second span at 2:50 p.m. ET Monday, four hours after the race had began, and about two hours after the first runners had crossed the mark.
2 - Search For The Suspects
The FBI is currently investigating the incident, and asking the public for any audio, video or photos racegoers took on Monday. Authorities believe the person(s) responsible used two small explosive devices placed in bags or backpacks and possibly detonated by remote control, possibly by a cellphone.
Officials have not announced any arrests or given any details about possible suspects. FBI officials late Monday served a warrant to a Revere, Mass. home in connection with the incident.
The bureau, along with the U.S. Attorney's office, will speak to the media at 9:30 a.m. ET.
3 - Oval Office Reaction
President Barack Obama issued a stern warning toward the perpetrators Monday, saying they will "feel the full weight of justice," but stopping short of calling the incident a terrorist attack.
Still, an unnamed White House source told the AP the government is investigating the act as the work of terrorists. The president Tuesday is slated to meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller and homeland security assistant Lisa Monaco, among others, as to efforts moving forward.
4 - The World on Alert
Copley Square was shut down Tuesday, as well as highway exits near the area. No low-flying planes were allowed to hover more than 3.5 miles around the site, per the Federal Aviation Administration. The White House and most New York City landmarks had extra safeguards implemented in the wake of the attack.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that "some of the security steps we are taking may be noticeable, and others will not be."
Elsewhere, cities such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Detroit, San Diego and Las Vegas had additional security and surveillance of any prominent areas, including government buildings, athletic events and busy transit areas. Police in England are ramping up preparations for the London Marathon on Sunday.
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5 - Saudi National
A Saudi national noted in news reports Monday remains in custody -- though not arrested or charged with any crime -- after authorities spotted him acting suspiciously as the bombs went off, according to CBS News reporter John Miller, who described the events that led to the man being taken in based off conversations with law enforcement.
"They see him running away from the device; now, a reasonable person would be running away," Miller said. "A civilian chases him down, tackles him, turns him over to the Boston police. The individual is being looked at, suffering from burn injury. That means this person was pretty close to wherever this blast went off, but not so close as to suffer the serious injuries that other people did."
Officials have not dubbed the Saudi national a suspect in the incident as of Tuesday, ABC News reported, noting that authorities are seeking to speak with the man's friends and associates. Miller said police told him the Saudi national denies anything to do with the attack, and has been cooperative with authorities.
6 - Tragic Links
With the New England area still reeling from the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre less than four months ago, Boston Athletic Association president Joanne Flaminio, prior to Monday's race, noted a "special significance" to the 26.2-mile course, as 26 people died in gunman Adam Lanza's shooting rampage. Boston was also a flashpoint in the Sept. 11, 2011 attacks, as two of the airplanes used in the disaster (American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175) took off from the city's Logan Airport.
7 - Taliban Denial
The Pakistani Taliban, which took credit for the 2010 Times Square Bombing, has denied any link to the bombings.
"Wherever we find Americans we will kill them," spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan said, "but we don't have any connection with the Boston Explosions."
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