By Erin Mclann
Updated 6:45 PST
Boston bomb squad was running "controlled explosion" on the same day
What's not yet being reported by the mainstream media is that a "controlled explosion" was under way on the same day as the marathon explosion.
As the Boston Globe tweeted today, "Officials: There will be a controlled explosion opposite the library within one minute as part of bomb squad activities."
As the Boston Globe tweeted today, "Officials: There will be a controlled explosion opposite the library within one minute as part of bomb squad activities."
UM Coach: Bomb Sniffing Dogs, Spotters on Roofs Before Explosions
By Local 15
University of Mobile’s Cross Country Coach, who was near the finish line of the Boston Marathon when a series of explosions went off, said he thought it was odd there were bomb sniffing dogs at the start and finish lines.
"They kept making announcements to the participants do not worry, it's just a training exercise," Coach Ali Stevenson told Local 15.
"They kept making announcements to the participants do not worry, it's just a training exercise," Coach Ali Stevenson told Local 15.
Stevenson said he saw law enforcement spotters on the roofs at the start of the race. He's been in plenty of marathons in Chicago, D.C., Chicago, London and other major metropolitan areas but has never seen that level of security before.
"Evidently, I don't believe they were just having a training exercise," Stevenson said. "I think they must have had some sort of threat or suspicion called in."
Stevenson had just finished the marathon before the explosions. Stevenson said his wife had been sitting in one of the seating sections where an explosion went off, but thankfully she left her seat and was walking to meet up with him.
"We are just so thankful right now," Stevenson said.
"Evidently, I don't believe they were just having a training exercise," Stevenson said. "I think they must have had some sort of threat or suspicion called in."
Stevenson had just finished the marathon before the explosions. Stevenson said his wife had been sitting in one of the seating sections where an explosion went off, but thankfully she left her seat and was walking to meet up with him.
"We are just so thankful right now," Stevenson said.
8:50 p.m. Boston: — LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis speaking: Three confirmed dead. He says there is NO suspect at Brigham and Women's hospital, contrary to reports.
Boston Marathon Explosions: 'Three Killed'
April 15, 2013 "Information Clearing House" - Three people have reportedly been killed after two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish.
Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later, reportedly on the other side of the street.
TV helicopter footage showed blood on the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.
Fox News reports that ball bearings have been found on the street, which may suggest the blasts were deliberate.
The explosions happened as the marathon was still taking place with some competitors pictured finishing the race and others being diverted away from the site.
Runners who had not finished made their way down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan.
Runners and race volunteers were crying as they fled the chaos.
Smoke rose from the explosions, through flags lining the route of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon.
The Marathon sports store was reportedly near where one of the blasts took place.
There were two boom sounds heard from inside the Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel.
Race officials have locked down the hotel.
A photo has emerged which appeared to show the moment one of the blasts took place.
Police made their way through competitors as they ran towards the scene.
Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for tired runners.
"There are a lot of people down," said one man, whose marathon number identified him as Frank Deruyter, who was not injured.
But marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area whose leg was hurt.
A Boston police officer was taken from the course with a bleeding leg injury.
Runner Laura McLean of Toronto said she heard two explosions outside the medical tent.
"There are people who are really, really bloody," Ms McLean said. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."
Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.
"I was expecting my husband any minute," she said. "I don't know what this building is ... it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don't know what it was. I just ducked."
2 Bombs At Boston Marathon
By Erin McClamApril 15, 2013 "Information Clearing House" -" NBC News" - Two explosions went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday as runners were finishing the race, injuring multiple people, witnesses told NBC News.
Video from the finish line showed screams and an enormous cloud of white smoke, and about 20 seconds between the blasts. The Associated Press reported that bloody spectators were being carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for tired runners.
Jackie Bruno, a reporter for New England Cable News, said on Twitter that she saw people’s legs blown off.
“Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror,” she said.
NBC affiliate WHDH said that storefront windows nearby were blown out.
Will Ritter, the spokesman for a Massachusetts Senate candidate, told NBC News that he heard what sounded like two explosions and saw smoke rising near the Boston Public Library. He said that he saw three fire engines and police running to the site.
“We heard two really large explosions in rapid succession, about a second apart from each other,” Ritter said. “Everybody kind of ducked and hit the ground.”
Janet Wu, a reporter for WHDH, told NBC News that she heard two loud explosions. A witness told WHDH that it sounded like cannon fire.
Massachusetts General Hospital said that it had four patients and was expecting more.
The AP reported that runners and race organizers were crying as they fled the scene.
The race is a signature event in Boston. Race organizers said that almost 27,000 runners competed, representing 96 countries. Tens of thousands of spectators turn out each year to watch.
The Boston police bomb squad was en route. Boston police confirmed there was an incident but did not immediately give details. Police, fire and medical technicians were responding. New England Cable News reported that the emergency response came within seconds.
Federal authorities told NBC News that they had no immediate information. In New York, a spokesman told Reuters that police were deploying counterterrorism vehicles around landmarks, including prominent hotels.
By Erin McClamApril 15, 2013 "Information Clearing House" -" NBC News" - Two explosions went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday as runners were finishing the race, injuring multiple people, witnesses told NBC News.
Video from the finish line showed screams and an enormous cloud of white smoke, and about 20 seconds between the blasts. The Associated Press reported that bloody spectators were being carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for tired runners.
Jackie Bruno, a reporter for New England Cable News, said on Twitter that she saw people’s legs blown off.
“Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror,” she said.
NBC affiliate WHDH said that storefront windows nearby were blown out.
Will Ritter, the spokesman for a Massachusetts Senate candidate, told NBC News that he heard what sounded like two explosions and saw smoke rising near the Boston Public Library. He said that he saw three fire engines and police running to the site.
“We heard two really large explosions in rapid succession, about a second apart from each other,” Ritter said. “Everybody kind of ducked and hit the ground.”
Janet Wu, a reporter for WHDH, told NBC News that she heard two loud explosions. A witness told WHDH that it sounded like cannon fire.
Massachusetts General Hospital said that it had four patients and was expecting more.
The AP reported that runners and race organizers were crying as they fled the scene.
The race is a signature event in Boston. Race organizers said that almost 27,000 runners competed, representing 96 countries. Tens of thousands of spectators turn out each year to watch.
The Boston police bomb squad was en route. Boston police confirmed there was an incident but did not immediately give details. Police, fire and medical technicians were responding. New England Cable News reported that the emergency response came within seconds.
Federal authorities told NBC News that they had no immediate information. In New York, a spokesman told Reuters that police were deploying counterterrorism vehicles around landmarks, including prominent hotels.
