The Boston Marathon Bombings: What We Know So Far

INFORMATION IS STILL COMING IN AND THE EXACT FACTS OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED AT THE BOSTON MARATHON ARE STILL BEING SORTED. THAT BEING SAID THERE IS INFORMATION THAT WE KNOW TO BE FACTUAL AS OF TODAY

1. There were two explosive devices and both of those exploded just seconds apart and minutes after 2:50 pm EST. There have been previous reports of up to 7 bombs, 5 of which were disarmed. This is not true and authorities have indicated that there were only two bombs. 
2. Three people have died. As of now we only know the names and ages of two of the three. One was an 8 year old boy named Martin Richard who was killed when he and his family ran from the first bomb only to be stricken by shrapnel from the 2nd. The second victim is 29-year-old Krystle Campbell.
3. There were 176 people who were injured and taken to local hospitals after the explosions. 17 are in critical condition. Initial reports had the injury count at 121, then 138, then 141 and more recently at 176. 
4. Sharp objects and "BB like shrapnel" has been removed from the victims' legs. Doctors have speculated that the material was implanted in the devices to cause as much damage as possible. Some have had nails removed from their lower extremities. 
5. The devices were placed in black backpacks and made to look like discarded property. One of the devices resembled a metal pressure cooker. 
6. Boston Police do not have a suspect in custody. There have been reports of a Saudi-national as a person of interest and under armed guard but no word yet on why he is guarded. He is not under arrest and is a witness to the incident. He is fully cooperating with authorities. 
7. The FBI has taken over the investigation and has stated "We will go to the ends of the earth" in what they describe as a "worldwide investigation"
8. The Department of Justice does not know yet if this was an individual attack or a group attack. Meaning was it an individual who did it or a group of terrorists? They have not stated whether they believe this to be foreign or domestic terrorism. However consensus has been that it is terrorism. 

At 11:40 AM EST President Barack Obama briefed the press on what we know so far in a short statement. 

"This was a heinous and cowardly act and given what we know the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism." Correction: An earlier version of this post featured yesterday's statement from Obama. It has since been updated with today's statement."

The White House has lowered it's flag on the grounds to half-staff in honor of the victims at the Boston Marathon Bombings until April 20th.

The White House has also released photos of President Obama as he was briefed on the attacks.

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with FBI Director Robert Mueller to receive an update on the explosions that occurred in Boston, in the Oval Office, April 15, 2013. Seated with the President are Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and Chief of Staff Denis McDonough. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

PLEASE NOTE MORE INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED AS IT COMES IN SO STAY TUNED.