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Vermain
Sep 5, 2006


Fire posted:

I just heard it on the news.

Anyone know if its a terrorist attack?

Possibly. Another device supposedly started the fire at the JFK Library, and on-site reports at the finish line are saying that there's no broken pavement, making a gas leak unlikely.

Mister Adequate
Oct 29, 2011


Vermain posted:

The current confirmed numbers from the Boston PD is around 22 injured, 2 dead.

Just heard the same through AP/BBC.

Definitely looks like terrorism, given multiple sources of explosions here but none of the damage that usually attends gas explosions.

DiabloStarCraft
Oct 12, 2006


Vermain posted:

Possibly. Another device supposedly started the fire at the JFK Library, and on-site reports at the finish line are saying that there's no broken pavement, making a gas leak unlikely.

The pictures of the explosion show a fireball though, so not high explosives or anything like that.

A DENVER FAX
Jan 19, 2012


Its so fucked that I am actually hoping its a terrible accident and not something deliberate

Spiritus Nox
Sep 1, 2011


A DENVER FAX posted:

Its so fucked that I am actually hoping its a terrible accident and not something deliberate

Not at all. If this is deliberate we can most likely look forward to more people killed, after all.

Mr. Peepers
Mar 11, 2005


Is there ever a situation you would want a bomb to be deliberate instead of an accident?

Highspeeddub
Apr 29, 2005


Failboattootoot posted:

It's ok, MSNBC reports that nobody was hurt in the library fire and it is already put out. Damages should be minimal.

I know, but damn, not the Cuban Missile Crisis archives!

It was terrorism. The bombs went off just as a large group of runners crossed the finish line.

cochise
Sep 10, 2011


Vermain posted:

Possibly. Another device supposedly started the fire at the JFK Library, and on-site reports at the finish line are saying that there's no broken pavement, making a gas leak unlikely.

http://www.dotnews.com/2013/jfk-lib...marathon-attack

The JFK fire wasn't related.

A DENVER FAX
Jan 19, 2012


Mr. Peepers posted:

Is there ever a situation you would want a bomb to be deliberate instead of an accident?

It's more that the majority of my concern is on the future impact and not the immediate tragedy that bugs me

Magugu
Mar 30, 2013


http://topsy.com/s?type=image&q=boston+marathon

Has quite a few pics from the scene that is being updated.

Fire posted:

I just heard it on the news.

Anyone know if its a terrorist attack?

Nothing official of course, but i think that this is. Could be home grown or foreign. With respect to the injured, this attack was designed to be replayed in the media over and over.

SirFozzie
Mar 28, 2004


BREAKING: Small homemade bomb is preliminary cause of explosion at Boston Marathon, law enforcement officials tell NBC News

Mordiceius
Nov 9, 2007


@TimWilliamsCBS: #BREAKINGNEWS: AP reporter says Newtown families were in the VIP section right by the explosion.

V-Men
Aug 15, 2001


Considering the amount of crazy shooters we tend to have, who have also stockpiled explosives as well, it's interesting people would think of North Korea than just another Lanza or any other crazed killer.

Un-l337-Pork
Sep 9, 2001


V-Men posted:

Considering the amount of crazy shooters we tend to have, who have also stockpiled explosives as well, it's interesting people would think of North Korea than just another Lanza or any other crazed killer.

Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that anyone goes on shooting sprees when you can just blow shit up, but then again, I don't really understand why anyone targets people indiscriminately like this.

Spiritus Nox
Sep 1, 2011


Domestic Terrorist is sounding more likely by the moment. Why would Al-Qaeda or any large organization or nation risk the US coming down on them just to bomb a race? 911 went after the capitol and the pentagon in addition to all the civillians, after all, to say nothing of the World Trade Center's economic value.

Gonzo McFee
Jun 19, 2010


Mordiceius posted:

@TimWilliamsCBS: #BREAKINGNEWS: AP reporter says Newtown families were in the VIP section right by the explosion.

This is going to be some lunatic who thinks they were all faking their kids getting shot, isn't it?

Fire
Aug 26, 2002


The only thing I can think of is that its tax day. Could be a crazed lunatic but that is 100% speculation.

zoux
Apr 28, 2006


Spiritus Nox posted:

Domestic Terrorist is sounding more likely by the moment. Why would Al-Qaeda or any large organization or nation risk the US coming down on them just to bomb a race? 911 went after the capitol and the pentagon in addition to all the civillians, after all, to say nothing of the World Trade Center's economic value.

There is no value to speculation at all. There is no available information that woud indicate who is behind this.

SirFozzie
Mar 28, 2004


Quoting an "intelligence official," the Associated Press reports that "two more explosive devices" were found at the marathon and were "being dismantled."

A bomb squad set off a "planned explosion" at the site earlier, according to scanner activity.

We don't yet have confirmation from authorities of an explosive device.

Mister Adequate
Oct 29, 2011


Yeah but the domestic groups tend government buildings. AQ has been on the ropes lately, they'd have a huge incentive to show they can still inflict damage. It's really too early to say anything concrete though, this is just speculation.

Shifty Pony
Dec 28, 2004


The ap is reporting that the PD has found and dismantled two additional devices. If that is true, that is both good news because it could have been worse and it gives the forensic people something to work with.

zoux
Apr 28, 2006


Any more info about the supposed ball bearings found at the scene?

TACD
Oct 26, 2000


quote:

Two bombs — in two different locations — detonated next to the Boston Marathon finish line this afternoon, about three hours after the winners crossed the line. The Boston Fire Department estimates that the first explosion occurred at 2:50 PM. The Boston Police Department says that at least 28 people are injured and 2 people are dead.

While the official cause of the explosion is unknown, law enforcement officials tell NBC News that small homemade bombs may be responsible. Police have found at least two more devices, which are being dismantled.
Police scanner reports also indicate the presence of multiple suspicious devices and bomb dogs are now being brought in. The Lenox Hotel and the Prudential Center (Boston’s second tallest building) has been evacuated. An AP reporter also says that Newtown families were in the VIP section, by the explosion, but were not injured.
Massachusetts General Hospital has at least 10 patients with amputations and blown off limbs. The Director of Emergency Services describes the injury as “from a war zone.” More patients are en route.

New York Police say they are increasing security in response to today’s tragedy. In Washington D.C., the Secret Service is “beginning to cordon off Pennsylvania Avenue” and tightening security around the White House.
The White House says that President Obama has been notified of the incident in Boston and “His administration is in contact with state and local authorities. He directed his administration to provide whatever assistance is necessary in the investigation and response.” Obama received a briefing from Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco and other members of his senior White House staff.
Source (Has pictures, but nothing gory)

Lycus
Aug 4, 2008


Spiritus Nox posted:

Domestic Terrorist is sounding more likely by the moment. Why would Al-Qaeda or any large organization or nation risk the US coming down on them just to bomb a race? 911 went after the capitol and the pentagon in addition to all the civillians, after all, to say nothing of the World Trade Center's economic value.
Yeah, the first thing this made me think of was Eric Rudolph bombing the park, so I'm expecting a domestic wacko.

gohmak
Feb 11, 2004


http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.ne...8561879.jpgThis

picture speculates that the bomb was placed in a mailbox.

gohmak fucked around with this message at Apr 15, 2013 around 12:35

Rent-A-Cop
Oct 14, 2004


Mister Adequate posted:

Yeah but the domestic groups tend government buildings. AQ has been on the ropes lately, they'd have a huge incentive to show they can still inflict damage. It's really too early to say anything concrete though, this is just speculation.
So long as nobody minds a little continued armchair Jack Bauering: Attacks like this are not really the MO of AQ and other Middle Eastern groups. Large suicide bombs are more their style than what certainly appears to have been multiple small devices on timers. The size and crudity of the devices used certainly lends support to the "Lone Wackadoo" theory.

V-Men
Aug 15, 2001


Spiritus Nox posted:

Domestic Terrorist is sounding more likely by the moment. Why would Al-Qaeda or any large organization or nation risk the US coming down on them just to bomb a race? 911 went after the capitol and the pentagon in addition to all the civillians, after all, to say nothing of the World Trade Center's economic value.

Well, just in regards to the notion of Islamic terrorism, the concern isn't so much the large organization organizing an attack, it's an inspired or affiliated small group that holds to the same ideals. At that point, large symbolic targets tend to give way to softer targets, as small groups have less resources to conduct any kind of attack or planning. As for state-sponsored, yeah, there's no real gain to bombing a marathon. How could that conceivably cause the United States to adopt a more isolationist foreign policy? Because a few dozen were killed in a bombing?

Highspeeddub
Apr 29, 2005


Slate ‏@Slate 2m
RT @reutersus: Boston police confirms another explosion at JFK Library #breaking

Are we sure this is still unrelated? Bombs are still going off.

jet sanchEz
Oct 23, 2001


Yeah, BBC is saying three explosions now but perhaps they are just parroting Reuters.

SirFozzie
Mar 28, 2004


Take with a grain of salt, it's the New York Post:


BREAKING NEWS
Authorities ID a suspect in marathon bombings - he is being guarded in Boston hospital

Ernie Muppari
Aug 3, 2012


Lycus posted:

Yeah, the first thing this made me think of was Eric Rudolph bombing the park, so I'm expecting a domestic wacko.

That's usually the safer bet. It's easier for a basement dwelling loon with little to no contact with others who makes their own pipe-bombs from scratch/has a gun to go unnoticed while they prepare for an attack like this than any group of people doing the same with even limited contact with the rest of the world.

dorkasaurus_rex
Jun 9, 2005


Highspeeddub posted:

Slate ‏@Slate 2m
RT @reutersus: Boston police confirms another explosion at JFK Library #breaking

Are we sure this is still unrelated? Bombs are still going off.

Do you have a link for this?

showbiz_liz
Jun 2, 2008


SirFozzie posted:

Take with a grain of salt, it's the New York Post:


BREAKING NEWS
Authorities ID a suspect in marathon bombings - he is being guarded in Boston hospital

They also said 12 dead and 50 injured, so

Omi-Polari
Oct 4, 2012


Fire posted:

The only thing I can think of is that its tax day. Could be a crazed lunatic but that is 100% speculation.
That, and it's 20 years since Waco. Lots of possibilities.

Mister Adequate
Oct 29, 2011


dorkasaurus_rex posted:

Do you have a link for this?

Beeb just had it too, via Reuters, but it's not clear whether it was controlled or not yet.

JT Jag
Aug 30, 2009


On one hand, my first instinct was to think this was probably some sort of lone nut or domestic terrorist.

On the other hand, the way they are describing this, with there being multiple bombs strewn about the area in strategic locations, makes me wonder how much planning and effort had to go into this.

SirFozzie
Mar 28, 2004


WBZ just reported that they've identified a man carrying multiple backpacks from surveillance tape that is being reviewed. (EDIT: They report that the man was seen dropping the backpack into one of the trashcans that exploded)

Sounds like we found our bomber.

zoux
Apr 28, 2006


SirFozzie posted:

WBZ just reported that they've identified a man carrying multiple backpacks from surveillance tape that is being reviewed.

Sounds like we found our bomber.

Or a homeless guy.

SirFozzie
Mar 28, 2004


See my update, this person apparently was seen dropping a backpack into a garbage can where the explosion occured (per WBZ-TV)

Errant Gin Monks
Oct 2, 2009


zoux posted:

Or a homeless guy.

Or a guy carrying the packs of his buddies who are runnign the race.

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