Boston Police Hunt for Clues as Explosions Leave 3 Dead, Dozens Injured

From Fenway-Kenmore Patch, Mass.:

Note: Patch reporters, editors and regional editors in Boston have been covering the bombings at the Boston Marathon. Some ran to the scene - one even biked there - as streets were shut down by Boston Police. They have collected the following information and photographs.

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Copley Square will remain locked down Tuesday morning as law enforcement officials continue their search for who is responsible for detonating two explosives that killed three people and injured up to 125 near the finish line at the Boston Marathon.

Moments after two explosions occurred on Boylston Street Monday afternoon, panicked runners and spectators began fleeing Copley Square as police quickly cleared the area and locked down the Back Bay. 

"All of a sudden everyone turned around and was running in the opposite direction," said Mary Bickford, 21, of Abington. Bickford was near the finish line when the bombs denoated. "All the runners, all the people cleared out, and police were going toward the finish line."

Near the finish line, several survivors lay injured, some who had limbs torn off in the explosions. Others were crying as they took in the chaotic scene and first responders rushed in. 

Several victims, including an 8-year-old boy who died, were children. The boy, Martin Richard of Dorchester, was reportedly at the race to watch his father, Bill, run the marathon. His mother and sister were also reportedly injured in the explosions.

Children's Hospital reported that those treated there included a 9-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, a 12-year-old, and a 2-year-old, the Boston Globe reported. 

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The FBI has issued a national tip line for any information related to today's bombings. Anyone with information can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), and select prompt #3.

"No piece of information or detail is too small," wrote the FBI in the release.

The Park Plaza Castle will again serve as a resource center on Tuesday. Residents and runners can go there for counseling services, to arrange for shelter, find runner belongings and other services.

Updates Below

11:40 a.m. President Barack Obama called the bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line “an act of terrorism” and a “heinous and cowardly act,” during a short press briefing.

“Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is terror,” he said.

Obama said the government continues to mobilize to protect citizens and investigate the attack.

The president added that investigators are not sure whether the terrorism was domestic or foreign and whether it was conducted by an organization or an individual.

“We will find whoever harmed our citizens and we will bring them to justice,” Obama said.

Obama said there will be further briefings by law enforcement officials as the day progresses.

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11:04 a.m @BostonGlobe reports that "Brigham and Women's doctor says Boston Marathon bombs included intentionally placed shrapnel." A doctor quoted as saying, "There is no question that some of these objects were implanted in the device for the purpose of being exploded forward."

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10:45 a.m. WCVB is reporting the remaining two victims' identities are expected to be released by medical examiner later today

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10:27 a.m. Police were called to the corner of Boylston and Dalton streets in Boston at approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a suspicious package. Initial reports, not from police, indicated that the package was found in front of Capital Grille and had wires sticking out of it. A police bomb squad is on the scene. 

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10 a.m. At a press conference this morning, Boston Police said that 176 people were injured in Monday's explosions. Three were killed, and 17 remain in critical condition.

No one is in custody at this time, and no additional threats have been identified, according to police.

"We will go to the ends of the earth to identify the subject or subjects who are responsible for this despicable crime," FBI Special Agent Rick DesLauriers said.

"We have a city that's resilient, a city that's working together," added Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. "One incident will not mark the city's history."

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9:40 a.m. Gov. Deval Patrick has orderd that the U.S. flag and Commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings until further notice.

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8:50 a.m. Prudential Center, near the explosion sites, reports it is open today, but access is limited to Huntington Avenue entrance. Retailers can open at their discretion.

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8:40 a.m. Information and resource center is open at 9 a.m. today at Park Plaza Castle. Find out more here.

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8:05 a.m. Here's a list of school closings in the city today, including Emerson College and UMass-Boston.

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7:55 a.m. The Trinity Episcopoal Church in Milford, at the corner of Congress and Exchange streets, will hold an interfaith prayer at 7 p.m. tonight.

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7:50 a.m. Interfaith service planned at Arlington Street Church, 25 Arlington St., at 8 p.m. tonight.

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7:40 a.m. The Boston Herald is reporting this morning that Boston Police, along with FBI, Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents, along with Homeland Security investigator assembled on two buildings at an Ocean Avenue apartment complex in Revere last night. 

The Herald is reporting it's unclear if the search was connected to the Boston Marathon bombings and media on scene Monday night said no information was given to them.