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LIVE UPDATES: Boston Marathon explosion coverage and resources

April 15, 2013 Heather Chin

Photo: Dan Lampariello/Twitter

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11 p.m. —

Three people have died from their injuries, including 8-year-old Martin Richard.

In New York City, security has been and will continue to be increased throughout the city, especially in and around major gathering places and tourist attractions, such as Times Square, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Grand Central Terminal, and the entire subway system.

New York-area running groups from the Prospect Park Track Club and North Brooklyn Runners Club are reported safe, according to their social media feeds.

An outpouring of support continues in New York and around the world. In Brooklyn, activism-meets-art group The Illuminator projected messages of peace and solidarity on the facade of the Brooklyn Museum of Art:

7 p.m. – Via WCVB:

At least 98 people taken to hospitals…

BRIGHAM & WOMEN’S
26 patients total, including 8-10 seriously injured. Ages from teens to mid-60s

BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
21 patients
18 major injuries
3 minor
7 life-threatening injuries — in the OR now

MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL
22 total, 6 critical, 5 serious

BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER
20 total, including 2 children. Most have lower leg injuries

TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER
9 patients

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
unknown # of patients, youngest is 3 years old

6:10 p.m. — President Obama:

“We don’t yet have all the answers, but we do know that multiple people have been injured. . . mobilizing resources with FBI. . .

“On days like this, there are no Republicans and Democrats. We are all Americans united with concern for our fellow citizens. . . All Americans stand with the people of Boston.

“Boston police, firefighters, the National Guard responded heroically. . . reminded of people who serve this country everyday.

“We still do not know who did this or why and people should not jump to conclusions before we know all the facts. But make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this. We will find out who did this and why they did this. Any of the responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.

“Today is Patriot’s Day in Boston. . . It is a day that draws the world to Boston’s streets in spirit of friendly competition. Boston is a tough town [and] I am confident they will take care of one another. . . And as they do, the American people will be with them every step of the way.

“As more information is available, our team will provide new briefings. we’re still in the investigation stage.”

For other statements from political leaders, see: http://brooklynreporter.com/2013/04/politicians-react-to-explosions-at-the-boston-marathon/

6 p.m. —

** The Boston Globe has created spreadsheets of places for people to find places to stay, or to offer places to stay:
“Are you a Boston Marathoner who needs a play to stay? http://bit.ly/XD0xYq Have a place to offer runners? http://bit.ly/XD0CeB”

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis:

“the device at JFK Library was either an incendiary device or. . . we are not sure.”

“There was no specific intelligence that anything was going to happen. . . we increased presence as [usual].”

Reports that someone is in custody “are not true. We are speaking with several people, but we have no one in custody.”

“There are fatalities, but I will not get into that.”

5:45 p.m. — President Obama and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino are set to speak, separately, about the Boston Marathon in about 20 minutes.

5:27 p.m. —The Boston Globe reports that 100 people are confirmed injured.

Talking Points Memo has debunked the NYPost on their claim that a Saudi Arabian national has been identified as the bombing suspect: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/boston-police-no-arrests-have-been-made-in

Via The Huffington Post’s @SabrinaSiddiqui: President Obama gets briefed on Boston explosions by FBI Director Robert Mueller http://flic.kr/p/ebAhY8

5:15 p.m. —

New York-area running groups that participated in the Boston Marathon:

Prospect Park Track Club
New York Track Club
New York Harriers

We are trying to reach out to these groups.

As mentioned earlier, according to the marathon website, registered runners from the tri-state area include: 1,542 runners from NY, 583 from NJ, and 419 from CT.

** FYI: The Brooklyn Half-Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, at Prospect Park. That is the same weekend as the Great Googamooga. Currently no word on how the Boston Marathon explosions will affect security.

** Google Personfinder for the Boston Marathon: http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions

5:06 p.m. —

Brigham & Women’s Hospital: 18-20 patients, 2 critical

Mass. General: 19 injuries, 6 critical

Tufts Medical Center: 9 injured

Boston Children’s Hospital: 7 being treated

2 dead at the scene

NYTimes map of the area around the finish line of the Boston Marathon. — Image by NYTimes.

4:54 p.m. – Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis says that there were three explosions: “two simultaneously” and a third explosion at around 4:15 p.m., near the JFK Library. It is unknown whether that was related to the explosions at the marathon.

The two main explosions were actually around five seconds apart.

Rumors of another, unexploded device, is untrue, said Davis.

“Each [of the first two] scenes resulted in casualties,” said Davis.

“This is very early in this investigation. . . we cannot tell you how many casualties” there were.

The Bruins game is cancelled tonight. People are encouraged not to head downtown or gather in groups.

** All cell phone service has been shut down in the vicinity of downtown Boston. This is to prevent any cell phone detonations of as-yet-undiscovered explosives. Loved ones are asked to call 617-635-4500 to ask for information on loved ones.

Spectators and runners are being bussed off the course.

“Many backpacks” were thrown down as people fled, so each bag has to be inspected.

** Anyone with information or who were witnesses are asked to call 1-800-494-TIPS.

Boston Police is not calling this a terrorist attach, “but you can draw your own conclusions, based on what’s happened.” The FBI has “pledged to help” if needed.

The next briefing will be at 7 p.m.

4:47 p.m. — CBS is reporting that “federal officials” have surveillance photos of at least one man carrying and placing a backpack into trash cans.

RT @BostonGlobe: “Are you a Boston Marathoner who needs a play to stay? http://bit.ly/XD0xYq Have a place to offer runners? http://bit.ly/XD0CeB”

4:39 p.m. — CBS Boston is reporting that federal officials say the two “bombs” were in trash cans and one unexploded device has been recovered.

4:30 p.m. — Governor Deval Patrick reports that he is in touch with President Barack Obama and emergency personnel. The governor encourages families to not head toward Copley Square.

The Green Line is terminating service between Kenmore and Park Street. The B and C lines are being shut down for the moment.

The Associated Press is reporting that an unnamed “intelligence official [says] two more explosive devices found at Boston Marathon; being dismantled.” The devices are described by some reports as resembling “homemade bombs.”

Massachusetts General Hospital is not allowing anyone into the hospital; only patients and medical staff are allowed in.

4:10 p.m. — CBS reports at least “2 dead, 22 injured,” according to Boston police.

Emerson College is in lockdown. The Lenox Hotel – headquarters for the Boston Marathon – is in lockdown.

** If you have loved ones running in the Boston Marathon, check their last check-ins here: http://raceday.baa.org/individual.html

4 p.m. — The NYPD is “stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations in the city through deployment of the NYPD’s critical response vehicles (CRVs) until more about the explosion is learned,” says Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne.

** According to the marathon website, registered runners from the tri-state area include: 1,542 runners from NY, 583 from NJ, and 419 from CT.

3:15 p.m. — At 2:50 p.m., two explosions occurred near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, along Boylston Street, within seconds of one another. There are reports of multiple casualties, many seriously injured.

The cause of the explosions is currently unknown. People are being evacuated.

The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s largest marathons, attaining that record in 1996.