This morning, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick held his latest press conference, alongside federal, state, and local officials, updating the public on the latest information out of Boston. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis explained at the event that at this point, yesterday’s bombings killed three people, and left 176 injured, including 17 with critical injuries.
The governor also noted that there were no unexploded bombs or devices found yesterday. There were multiple reports yesterday on other possible explosive devices, but Patrick made clear that there were two bombs — the two that exploded near the finish line at the Boston Marathon.
The detail matters. As Rachel and others noted last night, more devices might have indicated greater sophistication.
President Obama also spoke from the White House briefing room this morning, extending his support to the victims, their families, and the city, and noting that many key questions remain unanswered, including whether the bombings were carried out by a foreign or domestic terrorist organization, or perhaps a malevolent individual.
With a phrase that should hopefully satisfy reporters and Republicans, Obama added, “Given what we now know about the attacks, the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism.”
Update: Also note these remarks from the president: “We also know this — the American people refuse to be terrorized. Because what the world saw yesterday in the aftermath of the explosions were stories of heroism and kindness, and generosity and love: Exhausted runners who kept running to the nearest hospital to give blood, and those who stayed to tend to the wounded, some tearing off their own clothes to make tourniquets. The first responders who ran into the chaos to save lives. The men and women who are still treating the wounded at some of the best hospitals in the world, and the medical students who hurried to help, saying ‘When we heard, we all came in.’ The priests who opened their churches and ministered to the hurt and the fearful. And the good people of Boston who opened their homes to the victims of this attack and those shaken by it. “So if you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to evil — that’s it. Selflessly. Compassionately. Unafraid.”
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