'Boston Bombs Were Loaded to Maim' diff viewer (15/16)

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Bomb Details Emerge in Boston Case	Bomb Details Emerge in Boston Case
2013-04-16 22:05:05 UTC	2013-04-16 22:40:05 UTC (35 minutes later)
BOSTON — The explosives used to kill three people and injure 176 at the Boston Marathon on Monday were most likely some kind of “pressure-cooker” devices that sent sharp bits of shrapnel flying into victims in the vicinity of the blast, several law enforcement officials said Tuesday.	BOSTON — The explosives used to kill three people and injure 176 at the Boston Marathon on Monday were most likely some kind of “pressure-cooker” devices that sent sharp bits of shrapnel flying into victims in the vicinity of the blast, several law enforcement officials said Tuesday.
Surgeons at several Boston hospitals told televised news conferences on Tuesday that the explosive devices had apparently been packed with small pellets and sharp “nail-like” objects that were designed to maim their victims.	Surgeons at several Boston hospitals told televised news conferences on Tuesday that the explosive devices had apparently been packed with small pellets and sharp “nail-like” objects that were designed to maim their victims.
The new details about the explosives emerged as President Obama announced at the White House that the F.B.I. was investigating the attack as “an act of terrorism,” but said that it was unclear if it had been carried out by an individual or a group, foreign or domestic.	The new details about the explosives emerged as President Obama announced at the White House that the F.B.I. was investigating the attack as “an act of terrorism,” but said that it was unclear if it had been carried out by an individual or a group, foreign or domestic.
Two of the three people who were killed in the bombing were identified by relatives on Tuesday: Martin Richard, an 8-year-old from Dorchester, and Krystle Campbell, 29, of the Boston suburb of Arlington.	Two of the three people who were killed in the bombing were identified by relatives on Tuesday: Martin Richard, an 8-year-old from Dorchester, and Krystle Campbell, 29, of the Boston suburb of Arlington.
Boston University officials Tuesday afternoon said the third victim was a graduate student there but the university did not release the name of the student because it said it is waiting for permission from the family. The student was watching the race close to the finish line, the university said in a post on its news Web site, BU Today.	Boston University officials Tuesday afternoon said the third victim was a graduate student there but the university did not release the name of the student because it said it is waiting for permission from the family. The student was watching the race close to the finish line, the university said in a post on its news Web site, BU Today.
Representative Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who heads the House Homeland Security Committee, said the authorities believe that the explosives were similar to improvised explosive devices that have been used against American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. McCaul, a former federal prosecutor who received briefings Tuesday morning from Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security officials, also said that the authorities still did not know whether the attack was a foreign or domestic plot.	Representative Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who heads the House Homeland Security Committee, said the authorities believe that the explosives were similar to improvised explosive devices that have been used against American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. McCaul, a former federal prosecutor who received briefings Tuesday morning from Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security officials, also said that the authorities still did not know whether the attack was a foreign or domestic plot.
	Richard DesLauriers, the special agent in charge of the F.B.I.'s Boston division, said Tuesday evening that investigators officially began recovering forensic evidence from the blast site on Tuesday morning.
	“Among items partially recovered are pieces of black nylon, which could be from a backpack, and what appear to be fragments of BBs and nails, possibly contained in pressure cooker device,'’ he said at a news conference, adding that they would be sent to the bureau’s laboratory in Quantico, Va. “In addition, this morning it was determined that both of the explosives were placed in a dark-colored nylon bag or backpack. The bag would have been heavy because of the components believed to be in it.”
	Mr. DesLauriers said that the investigation was “in its infancy,” and that there had been no claims of responsibility, leaving the range of possible suspects and motives “wide open.”
	“This is a very complicated investigation,'’ he said. “It is going to be pursued methodically, carefully, diligently, but with a sense of urgency. We are barely 24 hours on into this investigation, so I would say that this is still in its early, early stages, and that’s the best way I can characterize it right now.”
A law enforcement official said at least one and probably both of the bombs were pressure cookers filled with nails and ball bearings and black powder that were detonated with rudimentary “kitchen-type” timers. The official said investigators believe the bombs were hidden inside bags or backpacks and left on the street or sidewalk near the finish line.	A law enforcement official said at least one and probably both of the bombs were pressure cookers filled with nails and ball bearings and black powder that were detonated with rudimentary “kitchen-type” timers. The official said investigators believe the bombs were hidden inside bags or backpacks and left on the street or sidewalk near the finish line.
A senior government official who had spoken with intelligence and law enforcement officials said Tuesday that there had been “no pre-attack chatter” detected by the government from members of Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups. In two intelligence briefings the official said he had received in recent weeks, “nothing was offered on this” type of attack.	A senior government official who had spoken with intelligence and law enforcement officials said Tuesday that there had been “no pre-attack chatter” detected by the government from members of Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups. In two intelligence briefings the official said he had received in recent weeks, “nothing was offered on this” type of attack.
The official said that the intelligence agencies had begun to go back and examine communications they intercepted in recent weeks to determine whether they had missed anything. “Before the 2009 Christmas Day bombing attempt, they thought there was no pre-attack chatter,” said the official. “But there had been, but it had not been interpreted. Everything is now being looked at.”	The official said that the intelligence agencies had begun to go back and examine communications they intercepted in recent weeks to determine whether they had missed anything. “Before the 2009 Christmas Day bombing attempt, they thought there was no pre-attack chatter,” said the official. “But there had been, but it had not been interpreted. Everything is now being looked at.”
Along with having few investigative leads, the official said that the investigation had been hampered, in part, by the fact that no terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the attack. Such a claim of responsibility, the official said, would help investigators as they try and weed out suspects.	Along with having few investigative leads, the official said that the investigation had been hampered, in part, by the fact that no terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the attack. Such a claim of responsibility, the official said, would help investigators as they try and weed out suspects.
Rudimentary explosive devices made from pressure cookers have been widely used in attacks in Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, all countries where the cooking device is common, according to a Department of Homeland Security warning notice issued in 2010. But they have occasionally turned up in attacks in the United States as well: Faisal Shahzad, an American citizen who tried a car-bomb attack on Times Square in 2010, included a pressure cooker loaded with 120 firecrackers in the collection of jury-rigged explosives in his vehicle. The devices smoked but never exploded.	Rudimentary explosive devices made from pressure cookers have been widely used in attacks in Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, all countries where the cooking device is common, according to a Department of Homeland Security warning notice issued in 2010. But they have occasionally turned up in attacks in the United States as well: Faisal Shahzad, an American citizen who tried a car-bomb attack on Times Square in 2010, included a pressure cooker loaded with 120 firecrackers in the collection of jury-rigged explosives in his vehicle. The devices smoked but never exploded.
Law enforcement officials urged the public on Tuesday to share any video or photographs they had taken of the marathon or the blast.	Law enforcement officials urged the public on Tuesday to share any video or photographs they had taken of the marathon or the blast.
F.B.I. agents, Boston police detectives, the state police and investigators from other agencies assigned to Boston’s Joint Terrorist Task Force were being assisted by an F.B.I. Evidence Recovery Team from New York and F.B.I. specialists from the bureau’s laboratory in Quantico, Va., who are expert in the handling of videos and photographs, a law enforcement official said.	F.B.I. agents, Boston police detectives, the state police and investigators from other agencies assigned to Boston’s Joint Terrorist Task Force were being assisted by an F.B.I. Evidence Recovery Team from New York and F.B.I. specialists from the bureau’s laboratory in Quantico, Va., who are expert in the handling of videos and photographs, a law enforcement official said.
“There is a tremendous volume of images that are being evaluated,” the official said.	“There is a tremendous volume of images that are being evaluated,” the official said.
Martin Richard, the 8-year-old, died while watching the marathon with his family, according to Conor Yunits, a family spokesman; his mother and a sister were badly injured.	Martin Richard, the 8-year-old, died while watching the marathon with his family, according to Conor Yunits, a family spokesman; his mother and a sister were badly injured.
Bill Richard, Martin’s father, released a statement on Tuesday in which he thanked people for their prayers and asked for privacy to grieve.	Bill Richard, Martin’s father, released a statement on Tuesday in which he thanked people for their prayers and asked for privacy to grieve.
“My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston,” he said in the statement. “My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries. We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we have never met, for their thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin.”	“My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston,” he said in the statement. “My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries. We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we have never met, for their thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin.”
Ms. Campbell, the other victim identified Tuesday afternoon, loved to watch the marathon and went to see the race most years, her grandmother, Lillian Campbell, said.	Ms. Campbell, the other victim identified Tuesday afternoon, loved to watch the marathon and went to see the race most years, her grandmother, Lillian Campbell, said.
“Everything was nice about Krystle,” Lillian Campbell said. “She’s outspoken and she’s friendly. She was always smiling. She always dressed nice and had her hair done. And she never used much makeup. She was just Krystle.”	“Everything was nice about Krystle,” Lillian Campbell said. “She’s outspoken and she’s friendly. She was always smiling. She always dressed nice and had her hair done. And she never used much makeup. She was just Krystle.”
Lillian Campbell said Ms. Campbell worked at Jimmy’s Steer House, a restaurant in Arlington. She had previously been a manager at Summer Shack, a popular seafood restaurant in the neighboring city of Cambridge.	Lillian Campbell said Ms. Campbell worked at Jimmy’s Steer House, a restaurant in Arlington. She had previously been a manager at Summer Shack, a popular seafood restaurant in the neighboring city of Cambridge.
Lillian Campbell said her granddaughter called several times a week and came to see her most weeks. A few years ago, after she had surgery, her granddaughter came to live with her for 18 months to take care of her.	Lillian Campbell said her granddaughter called several times a week and came to see her most weeks. A few years ago, after she had surgery, her granddaughter came to live with her for 18 months to take care of her.
She said that she last saw her granddaughter on Thursday. Ms. Campbell often stopped by on her days off work. Lillian Campbell said they had a cup of tea and “lots of laughs about foolish things.”	She said that she last saw her granddaughter on Thursday. Ms. Campbell often stopped by on her days off work. Lillian Campbell said they had a cup of tea and “lots of laughs about foolish things.”
“Every time she comes in the house to see anybody it’s a hug and a kiss, and that’s how she left,” Lillian Campbell said.	“Every time she comes in the house to see anybody it’s a hug and a kiss, and that’s how she left,” Lillian Campbell said.
“'Love you, Nana,’ that’s what she said.”	“'Love you, Nana,’ that’s what she said.”
Late Monday night, law enforcement officials descended on an apartment building in the suburb of Revere, about five miles north of Copley Square, linked to a man the police took into custody near the scene of the bombings. But on Tuesday morning, one law enforcement official said investigators had determined that the man, who was hurt in a blast and was questioned at the hospital, was not involved in the attack.	Late Monday night, law enforcement officials descended on an apartment building in the suburb of Revere, about five miles north of Copley Square, linked to a man the police took into custody near the scene of the bombings. But on Tuesday morning, one law enforcement official said investigators had determined that the man, who was hurt in a blast and was questioned at the hospital, was not involved in the attack.
Law enforcement officials pleaded at a briefing Tuesday morning for anyone who took pictures or video of the finish line at the time of the blast to submit them to boston@ic.fbi.gov or to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).	Law enforcement officials pleaded at a briefing Tuesday morning for anyone who took pictures or video of the finish line at the time of the blast to submit them to boston@ic.fbi.gov or to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Police Commissioner Edward Davis said Tuesday morning that officials were gradually reducing the size of the crime scene, which on Tuesday stretched for 12 blocks in Copley Square, down from 15 blocks on Monday. He said it was the most complex crime scene in the history of the department.	Police Commissioner Edward Davis said Tuesday morning that officials were gradually reducing the size of the crime scene, which on Tuesday stretched for 12 blocks in Copley Square, down from 15 blocks on Monday. He said it was the most complex crime scene in the history of the department.
Among the 17 critical injuries reported by the police on Tuesday morning were at least two children. Boston Children’s Hospital on Tuesday said doctors were caring for a 10-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, both of whom were in critical condition with leg injuries. The hospital also had a 2-year-old boy with a head injury, who they said was in good condition. Children’s said it had already discharged seven other patients with injuries from the marathon, including one pregnant woman who was transferred to Brigham and Women’s Hospital.	Among the 17 critical injuries reported by the police on Tuesday morning were at least two children. Boston Children’s Hospital on Tuesday said doctors were caring for a 10-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, both of whom were in critical condition with leg injuries. The hospital also had a 2-year-old boy with a head injury, who they said was in good condition. Children’s said it had already discharged seven other patients with injuries from the marathon, including one pregnant woman who was transferred to Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Some colleges and universities in Boston counted their own students among the injured; many universities here convene their own teams for the Boston Marathon, whose members train and do fund-raising together.	Some colleges and universities in Boston counted their own students among the injured; many universities here convene their own teams for the Boston Marathon, whose members train and do fund-raising together.
Emerson College, in downtown Boston, was closed on Tuesday, and its president, Lee Pelton, said seven students there were hospitalized with injuries, but all had returned to campus by Tuesday. Tufts University, in Medford, said it had three students with non-life-threatening injuries. One students from Boston University was reported injured, but in stable condition.	Emerson College, in downtown Boston, was closed on Tuesday, and its president, Lee Pelton, said seven students there were hospitalized with injuries, but all had returned to campus by Tuesday. Tufts University, in Medford, said it had three students with non-life-threatening injuries. One students from Boston University was reported injured, but in stable condition.
City streets that normally would be clogged at rush hour were largely deserted on Tuesday except for a cold wind and a few runners out for a morning jog. “It’s very surreal,” said Mary Ollinger, 32, who works at Wentworth Institute of Technology. “The streets are empty and the Common is filled with media trucks.”	City streets that normally would be clogged at rush hour were largely deserted on Tuesday except for a cold wind and a few runners out for a morning jog. “It’s very surreal,” said Mary Ollinger, 32, who works at Wentworth Institute of Technology. “The streets are empty and the Common is filled with media trucks.”
At the morning rush hour, the city’s subway system was uncharacteristically quiet, watched over by a heightened police presence and SWAT team members. Parts of the city seemed to have ground to a halt: Stores on Newbury Street, Boston’s busy retail thoroughfare, were closed, and tables on the patio at Stephanie’s, a restaurant there, were still covered in dishes left there on Monday.	At the morning rush hour, the city’s subway system was uncharacteristically quiet, watched over by a heightened police presence and SWAT team members. Parts of the city seemed to have ground to a halt: Stores on Newbury Street, Boston’s busy retail thoroughfare, were closed, and tables on the patio at Stephanie’s, a restaurant there, were still covered in dishes left there on Monday.
Metal barriers and more police officers guarded the crime scene, forming something of a black hole in a busy retail and business district in this city. Inside, the streets were still littered in the detritus of the marathon — runners’ blankets, water bottles, even a pile of bananas.	Metal barriers and more police officers guarded the crime scene, forming something of a black hole in a busy retail and business district in this city. Inside, the streets were still littered in the detritus of the marathon — runners’ blankets, water bottles, even a pile of bananas.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of office workers avoided the city on Tuesday because of the closures. ~~Maria~~ ~~Luna,~~ ~~38,~~ ~~who~~ ~~lives~~ in ~~Watertown~~ ~~and~~ ~~usually~~ ~~commutes~~ by ~~bus~~ to ~~her~~ ~~job~~ as an ~~investment~~ ~~analyst~~ at an ~~insurance~~ ~~company,~~ ~~said~~ ~~she~~ ~~was~~ ~~staying~~ ~~home.~~ ~~“My~~ ~~manager~~ ~~told~~ me it ~~would~~ be ~~very~~ ~~limited~~ ~~access,”~~ ~~she~~ ~~said~~ by ~~phone.~~ ~~The~~ ~~emergency~~ ~~protocol~~ in ~~her~~ ~~office~~ ~~was~~ ~~activated,~~ ~~she~~ ~~said,~~ ~~meaning~~ ~~that~~ ~~essential~~ ~~workers,~~ ~~like~~ ~~those~~ ~~who~~ ~~must~~ ~~move~~ ~~cash~~ on a ~~time-sensitive~~ ~~basis,~~ ~~could~~ ~~report~~ to an ~~off-site~~ ~~disaster~~ ~~recovery~~ ~~station~~ in ~~Portsmouth,~~ ~~N.H.,~~ ~~where~~ ~~the~~ ~~company~~ ~~has~~ ~~computers.~~	Hundreds, if not thousands, of office workers avoided the city on Tuesday because of the closures.