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One suspect dead, one on the run after night of violence and fear in Boston One suspect dead, one on the run after night of violence and fear in Boston
(7 days later)
Central Square in Cambridge is located just three blocks from the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the world's most prestigious seats of learning. It was here, at about 10.30pm on Thursday night, that an extraordinary sequence of events began to unfold.Central Square in Cambridge is located just three blocks from the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the world's most prestigious seats of learning. It was here, at about 10.30pm on Thursday night, that an extraordinary sequence of events began to unfold.
A young MIT police officer called Sean Collier responded to reports of a disturbance on the campus. He drove his patrol car to Kendall Square, at the intersection of Main and Vassar Streets.A young MIT police officer called Sean Collier responded to reports of a disturbance on the campus. He drove his patrol car to Kendall Square, at the intersection of Main and Vassar Streets.
The location is among the most prized pieces of academic real estate in the world. Right next to it is the Stata Center, a building constructed in the architect Frank Gehry's trademark sweeps of twisted metal that houses the offices of philosopher Noam Chomsky and the creator of the world wide web, Tim Berners-Lee.The location is among the most prized pieces of academic real estate in the world. Right next to it is the Stata Center, a building constructed in the architect Frank Gehry's trademark sweeps of twisted metal that houses the offices of philosopher Noam Chomsky and the creator of the world wide web, Tim Berners-Lee.
Collier, 26, who had worked as a police officer for just a year, did not have the chance to check out the reported disturbance, or do anything else. He was set upon by two people in what police described as an ambush, and shot multiple times as he sat in his police cruiser. He was rushed to Massachusetts General hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.Collier, 26, who had worked as a police officer for just a year, did not have the chance to check out the reported disturbance, or do anything else. He was set upon by two people in what police described as an ambush, and shot multiple times as he sat in his police cruiser. He was rushed to Massachusetts General hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
"MIT is heartbroken by the news that an MIT police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty on campus," the institute said later."MIT is heartbroken by the news that an MIT police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty on campus," the institute said later.
The horrifying events at MIT were just the start of a frenzied night of violence and fear. Shortly after Collier was shot, 911 calls came in reporting an armed carjacking of a black Mercedes SUV took place in Third Street, on the edge of the MIT campus.The horrifying events at MIT were just the start of a frenzied night of violence and fear. Shortly after Collier was shot, 911 calls came in reporting an armed carjacking of a black Mercedes SUV took place in Third Street, on the edge of the MIT campus.
The owner of the car was ordered by the two armed carjackers to go down Memorial Drive, which runs along the banks of the Charles river basin. There are unconfirmed reports that during the time the car owner was kept kidnapped within his own vehicle, his captors admitted to him that they were the Boston marathon bombers.The owner of the car was ordered by the two armed carjackers to go down Memorial Drive, which runs along the banks of the Charles river basin. There are unconfirmed reports that during the time the car owner was kept kidnapped within his own vehicle, his captors admitted to him that they were the Boston marathon bombers.
Only six hours previously, the FBI had released to the public photographs of two men they said were suspects in the bombing. Suspect One was a heavy-set man wearing a black baseball hat and black jacket; Suspect Two was younger and slighter, wearing a grey hoodie and a white baseball cap turned backwards.Only six hours previously, the FBI had released to the public photographs of two men they said were suspects in the bombing. Suspect One was a heavy-set man wearing a black baseball hat and black jacket; Suspect Two was younger and slighter, wearing a grey hoodie and a white baseball cap turned backwards.
'Extremely dangerous''Extremely dangerous'
The Boston FBI chief, Rick DesLauriers, who has led the massive hunt for the bombers involving more than 1,000 federal agents, warned the public at that press conference that the two suspects were armed and "considered extremely dangerous". He said that no-one should approach them under any circumstances.The Boston FBI chief, Rick DesLauriers, who has led the massive hunt for the bombers involving more than 1,000 federal agents, warned the public at that press conference that the two suspects were armed and "considered extremely dangerous". He said that no-one should approach them under any circumstances.
According to Boston police, the Mercedes owner was set free by his kidnappers at a petrol station along Memorial Drive about half an hour after they forcefully took over his car. The two men then sped off along Memorial Drive in the direction of Watertown, a suburb in the north-western side of Boston.According to Boston police, the Mercedes owner was set free by his kidnappers at a petrol station along Memorial Drive about half an hour after they forcefully took over his car. The two men then sped off along Memorial Drive in the direction of Watertown, a suburb in the north-western side of Boston.
As they tore off into the night, the speeding Mercedes was chased by a lengthening convoy of law enforcers. Local and state police, as well as federal agents, joined in the chase that ended in Watertown, a town of about 30,000.As they tore off into the night, the speeding Mercedes was chased by a lengthening convoy of law enforcers. Local and state police, as well as federal agents, joined in the chase that ended in Watertown, a town of about 30,000.
Before the Mercedes screeched to a halt, the two fugitives threw explosive devices out of the windows of the vehicle, including metal items that local residents described as looking like pressure cookers - the crude but terrifyingly powerful homemade devices that had been used to kill three people and injure more than 170 at the marathon bombing. One of the devices exploded as it was propelled from the car, causing a large fireball.Before the Mercedes screeched to a halt, the two fugitives threw explosive devices out of the windows of the vehicle, including metal items that local residents described as looking like pressure cookers - the crude but terrifyingly powerful homemade devices that had been used to kill three people and injure more than 170 at the marathon bombing. One of the devices exploded as it was propelled from the car, causing a large fireball.
Loretta Kehayias, 65, a local resident, said the explosions "lit up the whole house. I screamed. I've never seen anything like this. Never, never, never."Loretta Kehayias, 65, a local resident, said the explosions "lit up the whole house. I screamed. I've never seen anything like this. Never, never, never."
Police officers shouted at people in the street that suspects were "throwing explosives" and warned of "unexploded ordnance" on the street.Police officers shouted at people in the street that suspects were "throwing explosives" and warned of "unexploded ordnance" on the street.
As the Mercedes came to a stop, a huge gunfight erupted with the pursuing police officers. A local resident near Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street in Watertown recorded on her cell phone the exchange of fire. The intense blast of shooting lasted for several minutes and sounded like a war zone.As the Mercedes came to a stop, a huge gunfight erupted with the pursuing police officers. A local resident near Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street in Watertown recorded on her cell phone the exchange of fire. The intense blast of shooting lasted for several minutes and sounded like a war zone.
In the course of the gunfight, one of the scores of officers involved, Richard Donahue of the Boston Transit police, was shot. Donahue, 33 and with a six-month-old baby, was taken to Mt Auburn hospital were he remains in critical condition.In the course of the gunfight, one of the scores of officers involved, Richard Donahue of the Boston Transit police, was shot. Donahue, 33 and with a six-month-old baby, was taken to Mt Auburn hospital were he remains in critical condition.
Twenty other police officers from Watertown and other units were also given hospital treatment as a result of the explosive devices launched from the fugitives' Mercedes.Twenty other police officers from Watertown and other units were also given hospital treatment as a result of the explosive devices launched from the fugitives' Mercedes.
There was one other important casualty in the gunfight. The man identified by the FBI as Suspect One was shot in the exchange of fire.There was one other important casualty in the gunfight. The man identified by the FBI as Suspect One was shot in the exchange of fire.
He was the suspect who was shown in the FBI photos as having with the black baseball hat and walking along Boylston Street towards the finishing line of the marathon, a large black backpack slung on his shoulders, shortly before Monday's blasts. Suspect One was captured in the course of the Watertown shootout and taken to Beth Israel Deaconess medical center at about 1.10am. He was taken immediately into the operating room.He was the suspect who was shown in the FBI photos as having with the black baseball hat and walking along Boylston Street towards the finishing line of the marathon, a large black backpack slung on his shoulders, shortly before Monday's blasts. Suspect One was captured in the course of the Watertown shootout and taken to Beth Israel Deaconess medical center at about 1.10am. He was taken immediately into the operating room.
He was pronounced dead at about 1.35am. Dr Richard Wolfe of Beth Israel reported that he had suffered not just gunshot wounds, but "a combination of injuries. We believe a combination of blasts and multiple gunshot wounds."He was pronounced dead at about 1.35am. Dr Richard Wolfe of Beth Israel reported that he had suffered not just gunshot wounds, but "a combination of injuries. We believe a combination of blasts and multiple gunshot wounds."
The revelation that one of the suspects had died partially from blast injuries seemed to correlate with reports that police had found a suicide vest strapped to Suspect One's chest.The revelation that one of the suspects had died partially from blast injuries seemed to correlate with reports that police had found a suicide vest strapped to Suspect One's chest.
Suspect Two managed to elude the enormous army of law enforcers that had by now assembled in Watertown. He appears to have carjacked a dark green SUV and drove it at high speed a little way down the street, before leaping out of the car and escaping on foot.Suspect Two managed to elude the enormous army of law enforcers that had by now assembled in Watertown. He appears to have carjacked a dark green SUV and drove it at high speed a little way down the street, before leaping out of the car and escaping on foot.
The car was followed by a hail of police fire. The back window of the SUV was shattered, and up to 92 bullet casings were counted around the vehicle during a later police investigation of the crime scene.The car was followed by a hail of police fire. The back window of the SUV was shattered, and up to 92 bullet casings were counted around the vehicle during a later police investigation of the crime scene.
'Bullet hole through our wall and the chair''Bullet hole through our wall and the chair'
The prolonged firefight involving the two men was captured in real time on Twitter. Andrew Kitzenberg, who lives in Laurel Street, had been watching a sports game on TV when he heard commotion right outside his three-floor window.The prolonged firefight involving the two men was captured in real time on Twitter. Andrew Kitzenberg, who lives in Laurel Street, had been watching a sports game on TV when he heard commotion right outside his three-floor window.
"I heard gunshots. I peeked through the window and saw two shooters between two cars," he tweeted at around 1am."I heard gunshots. I peeked through the window and saw two shooters between two cars," he tweeted at around 1am.
Kitzenberg witnessed the two suspects in "constant gunfire" with officers. One of his tweets, accompanied by a digital picture showing two women cowering at the bottom of a stairwell, said: "Bullet hole through our wall and the chair."Kitzenberg witnessed the two suspects in "constant gunfire" with officers. One of his tweets, accompanied by a digital picture showing two women cowering at the bottom of a stairwell, said: "Bullet hole through our wall and the chair."
Kitzenberg, who unexpectedly had just become a highly-followed citizen reporter, watched as a police car drove at high speed towards the shooters, but then spun out of control and crashed into cars parked along the sidewalk. "Crashed cop car with all windows shot out in our driveway," he tweeted under his handle @kitz.Kitzenberg, who unexpectedly had just become a highly-followed citizen reporter, watched as a police car drove at high speed towards the shooters, but then spun out of control and crashed into cars parked along the sidewalk. "Crashed cop car with all windows shot out in our driveway," he tweeted under his handle @kitz.
A Laurel Street neighbour of Kitzenberg's, who was not named, also gave an account of the events to local reporters. At about 1am, he said, he was awoken by the sound of gunfire.A Laurel Street neighbour of Kitzenberg's, who was not named, also gave an account of the events to local reporters. At about 1am, he said, he was awoken by the sound of gunfire.
"I saw two individuals in a car that had stopped suddenly. The windows had been blown out and they were firing in the direction of Dexter Street. Then a police cruiser lost control and crashed into my neighbour's car.""I saw two individuals in a car that had stopped suddenly. The windows had been blown out and they were firing in the direction of Dexter Street. Then a police cruiser lost control and crashed into my neighbour's car."
As a sign of the chaos that engulfed the chase, when the neighbour called 911 to report the shootout, the emergency dispatcher sound surprised and was evidently unaware of what was going on.As a sign of the chaos that engulfed the chase, when the neighbour called 911 to report the shootout, the emergency dispatcher sound surprised and was evidently unaware of what was going on.
Later, the witness saw a police bomb-disposal robot brought in to investigate what looked to him like a pressure cooker lying on the road.Later, the witness saw a police bomb-disposal robot brought in to investigate what looked to him like a pressure cooker lying on the road.
Once the firefight was over, the hunt focused on Suspect Two, the man now known as "White Cap", who was still at large. At about 3am the head of Boston police, Ed Davis, told reporters assembled at the edge of a 20-block exclusion zone that had been set up that Suspect Two was still considered extremely dangerous. "We believe this to be a man who's come here to kill people, and we need to get him in custody."Once the firefight was over, the hunt focused on Suspect Two, the man now known as "White Cap", who was still at large. At about 3am the head of Boston police, Ed Davis, told reporters assembled at the edge of a 20-block exclusion zone that had been set up that Suspect Two was still considered extremely dangerous. "We believe this to be a man who's come here to kill people, and we need to get him in custody."
Police chiefs also confirmed at that point what everybody had already been surmising – that the two fugitives were the same suspects whose photographs had been released on Thursday evening in the hunt for the Boston marathon bombers. Later in the morning, they were identified as Chechen brothers – Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, who was by now dead, and the younger "White Cap" suspect Dzhokhar Tsamaev, 19, who was still on the run.Police chiefs also confirmed at that point what everybody had already been surmising – that the two fugitives were the same suspects whose photographs had been released on Thursday evening in the hunt for the Boston marathon bombers. Later in the morning, they were identified as Chechen brothers – Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, who was by now dead, and the younger "White Cap" suspect Dzhokhar Tsamaev, 19, who was still on the run.
From about 1.30am the suburb of Watertown and the entire greater Boston area remained in a prolonged state of siege. At about 4am it was announced by Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick that public transport in the whole region had been shut down – Boston, who President Obama on Thursday called one of the "world's great cities" had effectively been put into lockdown.From about 1.30am the suburb of Watertown and the entire greater Boston area remained in a prolonged state of siege. At about 4am it was announced by Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick that public transport in the whole region had been shut down – Boston, who President Obama on Thursday called one of the "world's great cities" had effectively been put into lockdown.
"Do not open your doors," was the message from Commissioner Davis to the people of the city. "Stay in your home. We believe this man to be a terrorist and we need to get him into custody.""Do not open your doors," was the message from Commissioner Davis to the people of the city. "Stay in your home. We believe this man to be a terrorist and we need to get him into custody."
Ten hours into the search for Dzhokhar Tsamaev, a 19-year-old now on his own and facing the combined forces of America's most highly trained and heavily armed law enforcement agencies, there was still no sign of him. Swat teams carrying long rifles and carrying protective shields were sent door to door in the hunt, clearing up to 60% of Watertown by midday, with backup from bomb squads and a long line of military armoured vehicles.Ten hours into the search for Dzhokhar Tsamaev, a 19-year-old now on his own and facing the combined forces of America's most highly trained and heavily armed law enforcement agencies, there was still no sign of him. Swat teams carrying long rifles and carrying protective shields were sent door to door in the hunt, clearing up to 60% of Watertown by midday, with backup from bomb squads and a long line of military armoured vehicles.
Officers swept on two locations in Watertown and swarmed them for periods of up to an hour, but in both occasions the search ended in frustration. The operation remains frenzied and nervous, made all the more twitchy by the awareness that White Cap might have strapped himself with a suicide vest as his brother appears to have done.Officers swept on two locations in Watertown and swarmed them for periods of up to an hour, but in both occasions the search ended in frustration. The operation remains frenzied and nervous, made all the more twitchy by the awareness that White Cap might have strapped himself with a suicide vest as his brother appears to have done.
Hours after the start of the drama in Central Square, Suspect Two remained unapprehended and Boston ground to a standstill. A daze of sheer disbelief hung over Watertown, and the region, and the whole of America.Hours after the start of the drama in Central Square, Suspect Two remained unapprehended and Boston ground to a standstill. A daze of sheer disbelief hung over Watertown, and the region, and the whole of America.
Boston's mayor, Thomas Menino, appeared at lunchtime in front of the world's television cameras. He said the words that he has repeated all week, since carnage ripped through his city on marathon day.Boston's mayor, Thomas Menino, appeared at lunchtime in front of the world's television cameras. He said the words that he has repeated all week, since carnage ripped through his city on marathon day.
"We will get through this, we are a strong city, we will not be intimidated by terrorists," he said. But there was a difference: this time the mayor's voice sounded shaky."We will get through this, we are a strong city, we will not be intimidated by terrorists," he said. But there was a difference: this time the mayor's voice sounded shaky.
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