A potential suspect in the Boston marathon attacks is being guarded by police in a local hospital, according to reports.
CBS News senior correspondent John Miller and the New York Post have reported that there is a Saudi national in custody who was near the scene of the blasts, which were detonated near the finish line of the Boston marathon, injuring more than 100 people and killing at least two.
A civilian claimed the person was acting suspiciously and chased him down and tackled him after the explosions, Miller reported.
Pictured: Images of a man in cuffs were posted online but police were keen to underline there had been no arrests. Officers said they were speaking to several people as would be expected in any major incident
The man, who was reportedly injured by the blasts, is said to be cooperating with investigators and denies any involvement. NBC News reported that he was being ‘guarded’ by police at the hospital.
Authorities deny, however, that they have any definitive suspects in custody. Pictures of a man in handcuffs surrounded by law enforcement officials circulated Twitter Monday, but authorities didn’t identify the man or say whether his arrest was related to the blasts.
‘At this time, we haven’t been notified of any arrests or anyone apprehended,’ a police spokesperson said.
Other reports suggested one line of inquiry was an individual caught on camera before the attack carrying multiple backpacks into the area 20 minutes before the deadly blasts.
It came as police were believed to be looking at whether bombs were planted in trashcans along the route.
Another possible link is that today is Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts, and the Oklahoma City bombing took place two days after Patriot’s Day in 1995.
The two blasts occurred almost concurrently near the finish line of the marathon killing 2 and injuring dozens.
Police initially said a third blast occurred at the John F.Kennedy Presidential Library but later reported it as an unrelated fire.
Cell phone service was shut down across the area to prevent any potential remote detonations as police feared there were secondary devices.
Police were in a desperate race against time to find any additional devices this afternoon and said the task had been complicated by the items discarded by spectators fleeing the scene.
Multiple reports were flooding in in the moments after the attack saying there were devices reported outside Harvard and other sites along the marathon route.
Police said none of the reports were later confirmed as explosives.
All off-duty officers in the city were called back on duty as dog units were sent in to help the emergency response.
The area will remain cordoned off as forensic work continues.
Police were pleading with onlookers to head home over fears the dangers remained in the downtown area of the city.
NBC reported that the devices which caused the blasts were ‘small homemade bombs’ as the FBI referred it as a ‘terrorist attack’.
Controlled explosions: Officers were said to be carrying out controlled explosions on three secondary devices
Police departments across the country including San Francisco and New York have been put on heightened alert.
In London security will now be assessed ahead of the marathon being held there on Sunday.
A non-fly zone was temporarily introduced over the city and has now been lifted.
Runners still on the course were being bussed out this afternoon as officers begun the hard task of trying to work out who would cause such an attack.
Early indications suggested the bombs were planted at the finish line rather than being suicide attacks.
U.S. President Barack Obama was notified and directed his administration to provide whatever assistance was necessary, the White House said.
No groups have claimed credit for the attack and officials say no intelligence alerted them to a threat prior to the marathon.
Anyone with information about the explosions should call 1800-494-TIPS.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2309570/Boston-Marathon-explosions-Suspect-held-hospital-severe-injuries-man-pictured-handcuffs.html#ixzz2Qa1L9jnh
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If you have the intelligence to build and execute the plan… WHY would you stay in the immediate area? Sounds like a throw down to me.
As usual , many stories are told before the Gov. finally decides to tell you what the REAL version is…