The deadly bombing in Boston, Massachusetts that killed 2 and injured over 100 people has been described by one White House official as an act of terror.
Buzz Feed Reports:
Buzz Feed Reports:
WASHINGTON — Minutes after President Obama left a White House podium after giving a speech about the explosions in Boston where he didn't use the word "terrorism," a White House official characterized the bombings there as "an act of terror."
"Any event with multiple explosive devices - as this appears to be - is clearly an act of terror, and will be approached as an act of terror," the official said. "However, we don't yet know who carried out this attack, and a thorough investigation will have to determine whether it was planned and carried out by a terrorist group, foreign or domestic."
A total of two explosions rocked the finish line at the world famous Boston Marathon today just before 3pm local time. The first two explosions hit at 2:50pm nearly 5 hours after the start of the marathon. The blast hit just as some runners were finishing a 26.2 mile race, which in and of itself leaves many in need of medical attention. They were roughly 50-100 yards apart.
Given the timing and location of the two explosions many have speculated from the beginning the event could have been a coordinated terrorist attack.
It still remains to be seen who is responsible for carrying out the attacks however. On Monday, Bill O'Reilley remarked that Boston is a hub for international events and draws many people from all over the world thus making the possibility of this being a foreign act of terrorism as probable as domestic.
In addition to the injured there is an estimated loss of at least 10 limbs by individuals with gruesome images circulating the internet via Twitter and Instagram.
According to the New York Post authorities are guarding a "person of interest" at a local hospital. The individual is believed to be a Saudi-national. They had sever burns on their legs and appears to be 20-years-old. Authorities have not determined whether the individual was a victim or a perpetrator. It is important to note that as of now they are not under arrest.
Several blocks away at the John F. Kennedy Library there was a third explosion however authorities could not say whether it was related to the bombings at the marathon.
The events unfolded on a Massachusetts state holiday, Patriots Day. The date, combined with the excitement of the Boston Marathon is commonly referred to as the best day in Boston. Today's events stand in stark contrast to that.
What is known about the devices that were used is that they were small and hidden in containers perhaps placed before the race began, in the midst of 20,000+ individuals spectating, preparing for their race, and providing volunteer services for the race. Many eye-witnesses have reported seeing steel balls flying through the crowd after the explosion. Some officials have indicated the devices were not very sophisticated and others have speculated that Al Qaeda would be more apt to use a higher complexity device.
Elsewhere in the country, at The White House and in New York, there were heightened security measures taken as well as increased personnel at high-traffic areas throughout the nation. The Federal Aviation Administration put a temporary flight restriction over the Boston Area shortly after the attacks. Much of the steps taken nationally following news of the events were plans that had been established post-9/11 as a counter-terrorism measure.
At 6:10 Eastern time President Barack Obama gave a speech denouncing the attacks and vowing that those responsible would feel the full force of the law. The President did not go so far as to label the bombings terrorism, drawing the ire of some on the internet.
Below are the most current photos that have been compiled from Twitter users across the nation of the attacks.
Asher Wolf
PHOTO: Racers stopped at Boston Marathon following explosions pic.twitter.com/9QWbYik7bq via @ABC
Matthew Keys
Photo: Unclaimed bags at finish line of Boston Marathon following explosion (Mary Pilon/NY Times) - pic.twitter.com/FrOttFatRf
RIP to this precious 8-year-old killed in the Boston Marathon Bombing 💔👼😢# PrayersForBoston pic.twitter.com/7EOfH1bOss
ABS-CBN News Channel
PHOTO: Debris is seen along Boylston Street after explosions went off at the 117th Boston Marathon (via Reuters) http://twitpic.com/cjnr42
TwitPic
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Explosion at coply pic.twitter.com/EqKbGeWhha
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