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Boston (CNN) — Two young men with backpacks walked with purpose down Boylston Street Monday afternoon, weaving through the crowd on the sidelines of the Boston Marathon. It seemed like they’d been there before, like they knew where they were going.

The one in the white cap reached his destination first, about two blocks from the finish line. The other one, wearing a hoodie and a black cap, kept going. Some three minutes later, he elbowed his way through the crowd and dropped his backpack near the finish line. It was about 15 minutes before 3 p.m.

The first explosion, at 2:50 p.m., sent smoke and flames into the air — and glass and nails and ball bearings and BBs into the crowd. It seemed to inflict the cruelest kind of damage to any marathon fan: It attacked their legs.

Source: CNN

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Jeff Bauman, who survived but lost both legs, saw the man in the black cap drop his bag. Two women standing nearby — restaurant manager Krystle Campbell and Chinese grad student Lingzi Lu — died in the blast.

As some people fell and others ran screaming, the man in the black cap casually walked away.

Twelve seconds later, another explosion, more screams, more panicked people running. This time, a little boy, Martin Richards, 8, lay on the sidewalk, fatally injured. His mother and sister also were seriously hurt. In the crowd, the man in the white cap strolled calmly and turned the corner onto Fairfield Street.

Later, an official who asked not to be named told CNN: “When the bombs blow up, when most people are running away and victims were lying on the ground, the two suspects walk away pretty casually.

“They acted differently than everyone else.”

That night, a few minutes after 8, a college student using the screen name J_tsar tweeted a quote from rapper Jay-Z:

“Ain’t no love in the heart of the city. stay safe people.”

For the next three days, Boston and the rest of the nation wondered who was behind the first terror attack of its kind on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. Was it al Qaeda, a homegrown terror group or a lone wolf?

Boston terror attacks timeline

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The Boston bombings in 3 minutes

Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is detained by officers on Friday, April 19. After a car chase and shootout with police, one suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was shot and killed by police early Friday, and his brother and second suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was taken into custody Friday night. The two men are suspects in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, that killed three people and wounded at least 170. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is detained by officers on Friday, April 19. After a car chase and shootout with police, one suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was shot and killed by police early Friday, and his brother and second suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was taken into custody Friday night. The two men are suspects in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, that killed three people and wounded at least 170. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
Special imaging techniques employed by Massachusetts State Police reveal Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hiding in a boat in a backyard in Watertown on April 19.Special imaging techniques employed by Massachusetts State Police reveal Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hiding in a boat in a backyard in Watertown on April 19.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev gets out of the boat he was hiding in outside of a home in Watertown, as seen in a surveillance video still.Dzhokhar Tsarnaev gets out of the boat he was hiding in outside of a home in Watertown, as seen in a surveillance video still.
An ambulance carries Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, from the scene after he was apprehended in Watertown, Massachusetts, on April 19. An ambulance carries Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, from the scene after he was apprehended in Watertown, Massachusetts, on April 19.
Police SWAT teams leave the area after apprehending the suspect in a yard where he was hiding in a dry-docked boat on April 19. Police SWAT teams leave the area after apprehending the suspect in a yard where he was hiding in a dry-docked boat on April 19.
Residents flee from an area where a suspect was hiding on Franklin Street on April 19.Residents flee from an area where a suspect was hiding on Franklin Street on April 19.
SWAT team members run toward a police assault on a house as gunfire erupts on April 19.SWAT team members run toward a police assault on a house as gunfire erupts on April 19.
People react while watching police respond to reported gunfire on April 19.People react while watching police respond to reported gunfire on April 19.
SWAT team members move down residential streets as they perform door-to-door searches in Watertown, Massachusetts, on April 19. SWAT team members move down residential streets as they perform door-to-door searches in Watertown, Massachusetts, on April 19.
A U.S. military helicopter lands behind Watertown Mall as law enforcement agencies continue to search for the 19-year-old bombing suspect on Friday.A U.S. military helicopter lands behind Watertown Mall as law enforcement agencies continue to search for the 19-year-old bombing suspect on Friday.
SWAT teams prepare to enter a home as they continue the door-to-door search.SWAT teams prepare to enter a home as they continue the door-to-door search.
U.S. President Barack Obama meets with members of his national security team in the Situation Room of the White House on April 19 to discuss developments in the Boston bombings investigation.U.S. President Barack Obama meets with members of his national security team in the Situation Room of the White House on April 19 to discuss developments in the Boston bombings investigation.
SWAT team members line a residential street in Watertown, Massachusetts, as the manhunt continues on Friday.SWAT team members line a residential street in Watertown, Massachusetts, as the manhunt continues on Friday.
A man watches from the window of a home as a SWAT team member keeps watch on Friday, in Watertown, Massachusetts.A man watches from the window of a home as a SWAT team member keeps watch on Friday, in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Police to continue to the door-to-door search on Francis Street in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Friday.Police to continue to the door-to-door search on Francis Street in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Friday.
Law enforcement officers place themselves in an overhead position on Arsenal Street as the search continues on April 19.Law enforcement officers place themselves in an overhead position on Arsenal Street as the search continues on April 19.
Law enforcement officers react to what was initially thought to be a threatening suspect on Arsenal Street on April 19.Law enforcement officers react to what was initially thought to be a threatening suspect on Arsenal Street on April 19.
A police SWAT team searches houses on April 19 for the second suspect.A police SWAT team searches houses on April 19 for the second suspect.
SWAT teams searches homes along Winsor Avenue in Watertown on April 19.SWAT teams searches homes along Winsor Avenue in Watertown on April 19.
A Massachusetts state trooper watches other troopers line up at Watertown Mall as the manhunt for the second suspect continues in Watertown on Friday.A Massachusetts state trooper watches other troopers line up at Watertown Mall as the manhunt for the second suspect continues in Watertown on Friday.
Police continue the ongoing manhunt for the second suspect on Williow Avenue in Watertown on Friday.Police continue the ongoing manhunt for the second suspect on Williow Avenue in Watertown on Friday.
A Watertown police vehicle with bullet holes in its body and a shattered windshield is towed out of the search area on April 19 in Watertown, Massachusetts.A Watertown police vehicle with bullet holes in its body and a shattered windshield is towed out of the search area on April 19 in Watertown, Massachusetts.
A Massachusetts State Police officer checks the bag of a cyclist amid heightened security on Friday in Watertown. A Massachusetts State Police officer checks the bag of a cyclist amid heightened security on Friday in Watertown.
Katia Costa looks out her window as police continue the manhunt on Nichols Avenue in Watertown on Friday.Katia Costa looks out her window as police continue the manhunt on Nichols Avenue in Watertown on Friday.
Ruslan Tsarni, uncle of the Boston terror suspects, told CNN affiliate WBZ that Tamerlan "got what he deserved" in an interview outside his home in Montgomery Village, Maryland, on Friday.Ruslan Tsarni, uncle of the Boston terror suspects, told CNN affiliate WBZ that Tamerlan “got what he deserved” in an interview outside his home in Montgomery Village, Maryland, on Friday.
A woman is questioned by Cambridge police and other law enforcement agencies Friday near the home of the second suspect in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed late Thursday night at the school's campus in Cambridge. A short time later, police reported exchanging gunfire with alleged carjackers in nearby Watertown. A woman is questioned by Cambridge police and other law enforcement agencies Friday near the home of the second suspect in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed late Thursday night at the school’s campus in Cambridge. A short time later, police reported exchanging gunfire with alleged carjackers in nearby Watertown.
SWAT teams move into position at the intersection of Nichols and Melendy avenues in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Friday. SWAT teams move into position at the intersection of Nichols and Melendy avenues in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Friday.
SWAT teams gather at the intersection of Nichols and Melendy avenues in Watertown while searching for the remaining suspect on Friday.SWAT teams gather at the intersection of Nichols and Melendy avenues in Watertown while searching for the remaining suspect on Friday.
Onlookers take pictures while SWAT team members look around on Friday.Onlookers take pictures while SWAT team members look around on Friday.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, left, speaks to the media at a shopping mall on the perimeter of a locked-down area during the search on Friday.Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, left, speaks to the media at a shopping mall on the perimeter of a locked-down area during the search on Friday.
Metro SWAT members hang off the back of a truck during the search on Friday.Metro SWAT members hang off the back of a truck during the search on Friday.
SWAT officers check a door with guns ready on Friday.SWAT officers check a door with guns ready on Friday.
Officers patrol Watertown on Friday.Officers patrol Watertown on Friday.
The aftermath of the shootout that police said involved the two suspects in Watertown early Friday. The aftermath of the shootout that police said involved the two suspects in Watertown early Friday.
Police with guns drawn search for a suspect on Friday in Watertown, Massachusetts.Police with guns drawn search for a suspect on Friday in Watertown, Massachusetts.
A police officer runs with his gun drawn on Friday.A police officer runs with his gun drawn on Friday.
Boston Police gather in the parking lot in front of a Best Buy store near the Watertown Mall on Friday.Boston Police gather in the parking lot in front of a Best Buy store near the Watertown Mall on Friday.
Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis speaks during a media briefing in the parking lot of the Watertown Mall on Friday.Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis speaks during a media briefing in the parking lot of the Watertown Mall on Friday.
Boston police gather in front of a Best Buy on Friday.Boston police gather in front of a Best Buy on Friday.
 Police stop cars at School and Walnut streets on Friday. Police stop cars at School and Walnut streets on Friday.
A Massachusetts state trooper checks a building along Mount Auburn Street as police search neighborhoods in Watertown.A Massachusetts state trooper checks a building along Mount Auburn Street as police search neighborhoods in Watertown.
Police search neighborhoods yard by yard on Friday.Police search neighborhoods yard by yard on Friday.
Police convene on School and Walnut streets on Friday.Police convene on School and Walnut streets on Friday.
A police officer talks to a driver at a checkpoint in Watertown, Massachusetts. A police officer talks to a driver at a checkpoint in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Police officers keep a man on the ground in Watertown on Friday. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.Police officers keep a man on the ground in Watertown on Friday. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Photos: Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
Manhunt for Boston bombers
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Manhunt for Boston bombers
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Photos: Manhunt for Boston bombersPhotos: Manhunt for Boston bombers
The FBI released photos and video of two men identified as Suspect 1 and Suspect 2 in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon. They have been identified as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.The FBI released photos and video of two men identified as Suspect 1 and Suspect 2 in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon. They have been identified as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
Authorities say Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, identified as Suspect 2, was captured in a Boston suburb on Friday, April 19, after a manhunt that virtually shut down the city.Authorities say Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, identified as Suspect 2, was captured in a Boston suburb on Friday, April 19, after a manhunt that virtually shut down the city.
Police say the dead suspect is the man the FBI identified as Suspect 1. Sources tell CNN he has been identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev. He was killed during a shootout with police in Watertown, Massachusetts, early April 19. Here, Tamerlan is at the 2010 New England Golden Gloves.Police say the dead suspect is the man the FBI identified as Suspect 1. Sources tell CNN he has been identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev. He was killed during a shootout with police in Watertown, Massachusetts, early April 19. Here, Tamerlan is at the 2010 New England Golden Gloves.
A man identified as Suspect 2 appeared in this photograph by bystander David Green, who took the photo after completing the Boston Marathon. Green submitted the photo to the FBI, he told Piers Morgan in an interview.A man identified as Suspect 2 appeared in this photograph by bystander David Green, who took the photo after completing the Boston Marathon. Green submitted the photo to the FBI, he told Piers Morgan in an interview.
The man identified as Suspect 2 appears in a tighter crop of David Green's photo.The man identified as Suspect 2 appears in a tighter crop of David Green’s photo.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. This is Suspect 1, Tamerlan. He and his brother were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. This is Suspect 1, Tamerlan. He and his brother were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions.
Police are searching for Suspect 2. Several sources tell CNN this suspect at large has been idenified as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19.Police are searching for Suspect 2. Several sources tell CNN this suspect at large has been idenified as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19.
The FBI tweeted this photo early Friday morning and urged Watertown residents to stay indoors as they searched for the second suspect.The FBI tweeted this photo early Friday morning and urged Watertown residents to stay indoors as they searched for the second suspect.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.The FBI on Thursday, April 18, released photos and video of two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon and pleaded for public help in identifying them. The two men were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
Boston bombing suspects
Boston bombing suspects
Photos: Boston bombing suspects
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Boston bombing suspects
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In April 2009, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who is believed to be Suspect 1 of the Boston Marathon bombings, was photographed for a university graduate magazine story. The photographer did not want to be named for this story. According to the published article, he hoped to be selected for the U.S. Olympic boxing team and become a naturalized American. Authorities say an overnight shootout with police left him dead on Friday, April 19. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.In April 2009, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who is believed to be Suspect 1 of the Boston Marathon bombings, was photographed for a university graduate magazine story. The photographer did not want to be named for this story. According to the published article, he hoped to be selected for the U.S. Olympic boxing team and become a naturalized American. Authorities say an overnight shootout with police left him dead on Friday, April 19. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
Tsarnaev answers a call while walking to boxing practice at the Wai Kru Mixed Martial Arts center in Boston, Massachusetts, according to the article.Tsarnaev answers a call while walking to boxing practice at the Wai Kru Mixed Martial Arts center in Boston, Massachusetts, according to the article.
Tsarnaev practices boxing at the Wai Kru Mixed Martial Arts center.Tsarnaev practices boxing at the Wai Kru Mixed Martial Arts center.
Tsarnaev shows how he strengthens his ankles, according to the article.Tsarnaev shows how he strengthens his ankles, according to the article.
From the article: Though he's lived in the U.S. for five years, Tsarnaev says, "I don't have a single American friend. I don't understand them."From the article: Though he’s lived in the U.S. for five years, Tsarnaev says, “I don’t have a single American friend. I don’t understand them.”
Tsarnaev works out at the mixed martial arts center.Tsarnaev works out at the mixed martial arts center.
Tsarnaev stretches during boxing practice.Tsarnaev stretches during boxing practice.
Tsarnaev practices boxing. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.Tsarnaev practices boxing. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
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Suspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subjectSuspect 1 was boxer, photo essay subject
Authorities have named Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings. He was arrested on Friday, April 19, after a massive manhunt following an overnight shootout with police in suburban Watertown that left his 26-year-old brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev -- the other man wanted in the bombings -- dead. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.Authorities have named Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings. He was arrested on Friday, April 19, after a massive manhunt following an overnight shootout with police in suburban Watertown that left his 26-year-old brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev — the other man wanted in the bombings — dead. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
An image posted to the social sharing website Reddit purports to show suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev being detained by law enforcement officers.An image posted to the social sharing website Reddit purports to show suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev being detained by law enforcement officers.
Tsarnaev was caught on a convenience store surveillance camera video that was released by Boston Police Department on April 19.Tsarnaev was caught on a convenience store surveillance camera video that was released by Boston Police Department on April 19.
The FBI released footage of the two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings and pleaded for public help in identifying them on Thursday, April 18. They were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.The FBI released footage of the two men it called suspects in the deadly bombings and pleaded for public help in identifying them on Thursday, April 18. They were photographed walking together near the finish line of the marathon before the explosions that killed three people and wounded about 180.
Additional photos and video of the two men were released by the FBI on April 19.Additional photos and video of the two men were released by the FBI on April 19.
A picture of Tsarnaev seen on his apparent profile on VKontakte, a Russian social network similar to Facebook.A picture of Tsarnaev seen on his apparent profile on VKontakte, a Russian social network similar to Facebook.
The Boston Police Department released this undated photograph of the suspect on April 19. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.The Boston Police Department released this undated photograph of the suspect on April 19. See all photography related to the Boston bombings.
Suspect 2: Dzhokar Tsarnaev
Suspect 2: Dzhokar Tsarnaev
Suspect 2: Dzhokar Tsarnaev
Suspect 2: Dzhokar Tsarnaev
Suspect 2: Dzhokar Tsarnaev
Suspect 2: Dzhokar Tsarnaev
Suspect 2: Dzhokar Tsarnaev
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Suspect 2: Dzhokhar TsarnaevSuspect 2: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

Because the bombing was suspected terrorism, the FBI quickly took the investigative lead. But there was no chatter among the jihadists. No one claimed responsibility for the blast.

But J_tsar was a chatterbox on Twitter. Early Tuesday, just past midnight, he sent out another, more mysterious tweet: “There are people that know the truth but stay silent & there are people that speak the truth but we don’t hear them cuz they’re the minority.”

All day Tuesday, the news focused on the gruesome details of the crime scene and those who were lost or maimed. More than 170 people were hurt by flying glass, shrapnel, ball bearings and nails, some of them grievously. The sidewalks along Boylston Street were slick with blood in some spots.

President Obama condemned the marathon bombings as terrorism and vowed that those responsible would feel the full weight of justice.

Sometime that day, a college student named Dzhokhar Tsarnaev came into Gilberto Junior’s body shop in the suburb of Somerville, Junior told The New York Times. He knew Dzhokhar and his older brother Tamerlan as “regular kids” with a taste for expensive cars. Dzhokhar said he needed his white Mercedes station wagon immediately.

The car was still missing a bumper and tail lights, and his customer seemed nervous, Junior told the newspaper. He bit his nails and his knees where shaky. The body shop owner wondered if he was under the influence of drugs.

That night J_tsar tweeted up a storm:

He quoted the rapper Eminem: “Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got somethin to say but nothin comes out when they move their lips; just a bunch of gibberish.”

He slapped down an Internet rumor that a man had planned to propose to his girlfriend at the marathon but found her dead: “fake story.”

He replied to someone else’s tweet: “and they what ‘god hates dead people?’ Or victims of tragedies? Lol those people are cooked.”

And he tweeted: “So then I says to him, I says, relax bro my beard is not loaded.”

Behind the scenes, federal investigators began to sort through what has become the norm in a post-9/11 society: Thousands upon thousands of surveillance photos and videos taken from cameras at traffic lights, store fronts, parking garages and other places along the marathon route.

The crime scene extended for 12 blocks. The 26.2-mile marathon route is open to the public and the event is heavily photographed. Authorities asked for amateur cell phone photos and videos from anyone who had been at the marathon. Who might investigators find on the sidelines, in the background?

During a shift change at the Boston Police Department, a supervisor told officers: “When you get home tonight hug your kids once and then hug them again. And that’s an order.”

As Tuesday melted into Wednesday, J_tsar was back on Twitter. “I’m a stress free kind of guy,” he tweeted shortly before 2 a.m.

The day seemed like any other at school for the Mercedes-driving 19-year-old later identified as the tweeter: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. His student ID told the story of his day; like all students, he has to swipe the card to enter buildings on campus.

Card swipe information shows he went to the gym and spent Wednesday night at his dorm. Dzhokhar was known as Jahar to friends on campus.

Student Zach Bettencourt said he discussed the bombing with Dzhokhar at the gym.

“You hear about this kind of thing happening in Iraq and Afghanistan but not here,” Bettencourt said.

Dzhokhar responded: “Yeah tragedies happen man, like these things happen around the world. It’s crazy.”

Less than 48 hours after the bombing, Harry Danso was making small talk with Dzhokhar at their dorm. “He was just in the hallway, said ‘Hi’ and walked past me. He just acted regular. Gave me a regular smile, like usual.”

He also went to a party at the dorm, a fellow student told The Boston Globe. It was attended by friends who competed in intramural soccer.

“He was just relaxed,” the student said, asking the paper not to publish her name. Also on Wednesday, authorities revealed that one and possibly both of Monday’s deadly devices had been fashioned out of pressure cookers. A pressure cooker lid was found on a rooftop near the marathon finish line.

Meanwhile, Dzhokhar’s older brother, Tamerlan, was reaching out to family members. He called two uncles on Thursday, seeking their forgiveness.

“He called me, confused,” Ruslan Tsarni, who lives outside Washington, told CNN. In an earlier interview with USA Today, another uncle quoted Tamerlan as saying, ” ‘I love you and forgive me’ … I guess he knew what he had done.”

Learn more about the brothers Tsarnaev

More violence, and a breakthrough

Thursday was a breakthrough day for investigators.

They already had made progress, finding clear images of the men with the backpacks and ball caps on a surveillance video. Intelligence had been developed on one suspect earlier in the week; images of the second suspect were isolated Wednesday, officials told CNN.

Jeff Bauman, who’d survived the bombing but lost both legs, regained consciousness at Boston Medical Center and gave them a lead. On a piece of paper, he wrote: “Bag, saw the guy, looked right at me.”

Top level officials from the Justice Department, FBI, ATF, Department of Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department debated whether they should go public with the images they had found.

By 5 p.m. Thursday, after several delayed news briefings, a task force of federal, state and city law enforcement officials released photographs of the man in the black cap and hoodie and the man in the white cap. They asked for the public’s help in identifying them.

“We are processing all the digital photographic evidence we can,” Agent Richard DesLauriers, who leads the FBI’s Boston division, told reporters. He asked the public to keep submitting their photos to police, noting that investigators had “a huge amount of video evidence to process.”

Later that evening, an image of one of the brothers was captured on surveillance video at a convenience store in Cambridge. Then, about 11 p.m., police learned that Sean Collier, a police officer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, had been ambushed and shot to death in his patrol car on the campus.

In the early hours of Friday, the pair allegedly carjacked a Mercedez-Benz SUV in Cambridge, forced the driver to withdraw cash at an ATM, then let him go at a gas station.

The driver called 911 and reported that he’d been held up at gunpoint by two men who said they were the marathon bombers. He also said he’d left his cell phone in the car.

Police were able to track the cell phone — and the car — to Watertown, just west of Boston.

Just before 1 a.m. Friday, a lone Watertown cop came upon the brothers, who were now driving two cars, police Chief Edward Deveau said. They were armed with guns, pipe bombs and other explosives. Both cars stopped and the brothers leaped out and opened fire before backup could arrive.

Other officers responded to the pinned-down officer’s call for help. More than 200 shots were fired in 5 to 10 minutes.

Deveau said the brothers tossed explosives at police, including a homemade pressure-cooker bomb.

The older brother, Tamerlan, walked straight toward the cops but ran out of ammunition. He’d been wounded. An officer tackled him and police were handcuffing him when Dzhokhar tried to escape in the Mercedes. He aimed the car at the officers, who dove out of the way, and he ran over his brother. The Mercedes dragged the older brother down the street as it sped away.

The driver continued to exchange gunfire with police, then jumped out of the SUV and ran into the darkness.

Authorities finally got names to go with the photos and videos when they scanned a fingerprint from the brother left behind, according to The New York Times. He was Tamerlan Tsarnaev, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital. He was wearing explosives and a triggering device.

Police also learned that the Russian government had asked the FBI to check out Tamerlan’s connections to radical Islamic groups in 2011. Nothing had come of the investigation.

Boston woke up Friday morning and learned the names of both bombing suspects. The manhunt for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev lasted all day and shut down much of Boston as police asked everyone to stay indoors. Authorities searched door-to-door in Watertown.

Then, in the evening, the request was lifted and authorities got a tip: A Watertown man told police someone was hiding in his boat in the backyard, bleeding. It was their suspect, the Watertown police chief said.

By then, there were a couple thousand police officers at the scene. A thermal image photograph, released Saturday by state police, showed what authorities say was Dzhokhar Tsarnaev lying in the middle of the boat.

“We know you’re in there. Come out with your hands up,” police demanded over a bullhorn.

Officers spotted Dzhokhar poking through the tarp and used “flash-bangs,” devices meant to stun people with a loud noise. They used a robot to pull the tarp off the boat and negotiated with Dzhokhar for about half an hour.

Police, who had no idea whether he had explosives with him, repeatedly told him to stand up and lift his shirt and he eventually complied.

“Once we saw that, we felt comfortable enough to send some officer tactical equipment to grab him and pull him away from the boat,” Deveau said.

The Boston Police Department got the last word on Twitter: “CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody.

A few minutes later, a more somber tweet followed as Boston heaved a sigh of relief:

“In our time of rejoicing, let us not forget the families of Martin Richard, Lingzi Ly, Krystle Campbell and Officer Sean Collier.”

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