FBI agents investigating the Boston Marathon bombings have identified two men as potential suspects.
Investigators pinpointed the men, both carrying heavy backpacks, in photos and video taken near the finish line just before the twin blasts that left three dead and more than 180 injured.
Security footage from the Lord and Taylor department store reportedly showed one man placing a backpack, believed to have been carrying the second bomb, on the ground while talking on his mobile phone.
He was wearing a white baseball caps on backwards, and a light coloured hooded sweatshirt and a black jacket. An FBI circular was sent to law enforcement agencies last night seeking help to identify them. Authorities said the “high interest” men could be either possible suspects or witnesses, and their names are not known.
US television networks have aired CCTV footage of a potential suspect — a man dressed in black seen running from the scene after the blast — but investigators have refused to confirm if he is one of the two they are seeking.
The FBI was forced to deny reports yesterday that a suspect was already under arrest. A spokesman said: “Since these stories often have unintended consequences, we ask the media, particularly at this early stage, to exercise caution and attempt to verify information through appropriate official channels before reporting.”
The potential breakthrough came two days after the horrific blasts. The bombs were crudely fashioned from pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and ball bearings.
Barack Obama, who declared the bombings “an act of terror”, plans to visit Boston today to attend a memorial service for the victims. He said: “What we don’t yet know, however, is who carried out this attack or why. Whether it was ... a terrorist organization, foreign or domestic, or was the act of a malevolent individual. We will find whoever harmed our citizens, and bring them to justice.”
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick claimed investigators were closer to cracking the case “every hour” but urged: “Give law enforcement the space to do their work.”
Monday’s blasts killed Martin Richard, eight; restaurant manager Krystle Campbell, 29; and Lu Lingzi, a Boston University student from China. At least 14 victims, including three children, remained in a critical condition last night.
