The FBI and Boston Police Department have confirmed that the second suspect wanted for Monday’s dual bombing of the Boston Marathon has been arrested.
The news came at about 8:45 p.m. Friday following a standoff in a Watertown, Mass. backyard, where 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev had been hiding in a covered boat. His apprehension followed an extensive manhunt by local, state and federal law enforcement that had began Thursday evening following the slaying of 26-year-old Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Police Officer Sean Collier.
Tsarnaev’s older brother Tamerlan, 26, died in an ensuing firefight with police late Thursday night in Watertown.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s apprehension comes four days after three people were killed and nearly 200 injured when dual bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon April 15. An intense investigation ensued, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation taking the lead, and the news that whoever had committed the attack had used pressure cookers packed with shrapnel delivered in backpacks.
The FBI released photos and video of suspects in the bombing Thursday and had asked for the public’s help in identifying them. VIEW THE PHOTOS AND VIDEO HERE.
Police said the crucial tip came from a Watertown man who had peered into the boat, seen blood and a body inside, and notified authorities. A police helicopter equipped with an infrared device then verified the discovery and directed tactical teams to the boat. Tsarnaev had lost of a lot of blood, said police, and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment following his arrest.
President Barack Obama had visited Boston on Wednesday.
“We’ve closed an important chapter in this tragedy,” he said from the White House shortly after 10 p.m. Friday. “There are still many unanswered questions.”
Obama also acknowledged those who lost their lives in a tremendous fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas April 17.
“They have not been forgotten,” he said. “Our thoughts, our prayers, are with the people of West, Texas.”
News of Tsarnaev’s arrest Friday evening sent waves of resounding applause and cheers throughout Watertown.
“We’re so grateful to bring justice and closure to this case,” said Massachusetts State Police Col. Timothy Alben at a 9:30 p.m. press conference where he was flanked by several other local, state and federal officials. “We’re exhausted folks, but we have a victory here tonight.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told the throngs of reporters and media outlets that had converged on the neighborhood. “I’m so happy.”
“It’s a night where I think we’re all going to rest easy,” said Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.
“Justice is being served for the the victims of these terrible crimes,” declared FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers.
