Marathon Finish Line Evacuated After Suspicious Packages Discovered
A shelter-in-place order on Boylston Street has been lifted and a 25-year-old Boston man is facing charges after police executed a controlled detonation of two suspicious bags left near the Boston Marathon finish line.
Just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, on the one-year anniversary of last year’s Boston Marathon bombings, police said two backpacks had been found in the area and immediately ordered people to evacuate. Authorities said the backpacks were tied to a man who goes by Kayvon Edson. Edson was captured in several videos marching down Boylston Street in a black veil, wearing a backpack, and chanting “Boston strong.’’
Edson was taken into custody and will be charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and possession of a hoax device, NECN reported.
While police used controlled detonations on both bags, authorities said that does not mean they contained any explosives. The detonations were used as a precautionary measure.
We updated the story as it developed. Those updates, including pictures and video from the scene, can be found below.
Update, 10:21 p.m.: The suspect has been identified as Kayvon Edson, according to tweets from WBZ-TV’s Peter Wilson. He also tweeted that the backpack found at the scene contained a rice cooker full of confetti.
BREAKING: Sources tell @CBSNews the suspect’s name is Kayvon Edson. Rice cooker in bag destroyed was full of confetti. #wbz
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) April 16, 2014BREAKING: Source tells @CBSNEWS that Edson has emotional problems. He was dressed all in black. He dropped the backpack and ran away. #wbz
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) April 16, 2014Update, 10 p.m.: WBZ-TV is citing a source that claims the suspect told police he had a rice cooker in the backpack he was carrying near the finish line.
Source: Suspect Told Police He Had Rice Cooker In Backpack Near Marathon Finish Line http://t.co/cCpQPZGUX5 pic.twitter.com/i7b5SQltnE
— WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) April 16, 2014Update, 9:53 p.m.: A third video of the suspect has emerged on YouTube:
Update, 9:36 p.m.: Witnesses report a second blast on Boylston Street – again, there is no evidence the bags contained any explosive material, and these booms are possibly only precautionary measures:
Update: Bomb Squad Detonates Second Bag Near Boston Marathon Finish Line http://t.co/SigvXm4avN pic.twitter.com/uhDywcD0Iu
— WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) April 16, 2014Update, 8:53 p.m.: Police have reportedly detonated the bag, shouting “fire in the hole!’’ Second such boom from the scene, according to witnesses.
It’s presumed the bags were detonated as a precautionary measure. So far, there is no evidence to indicate they contained explosives.
Wow. A loud boom as police detonate suspicious backpack at finish line. #7News
— susantran (@susantran) April 16, 2014Bag has been destroyed.
— Garrett Quinn (@GarrettQuinn) April 16, 2014Update, 8:38 p.m.: NECN has posted this photo of the alleged suspect being led by police officers.
EXCLUSIVE PHOTO: Male suspect in @bostonpolice custody in unattended bags investigation at finish line pic.twitter.com/W4ENWLJybG
— NECN (@NECN) April 16, 2014Update, 8:25 p.m.: Boston Police Spokesperson David Estrada confirms that an adult male suspect was detained and is being questioned by police.
The man, whose identity has not yet been disclosed by authorities, was apprehended at Boylston and Exeter Streets.
Estrada said he was unable to confirm whether one or two bags were found at the scene.
Update, 8:05 p.m.: Fox 25 reports a robot is inspecting the bag.
Closeup of the robot inspecting one of the backpacks. @universalhub pic.twitter.com/fLzTcCwPbj
— Ryan Catalani (@magicofpi) April 16, 2014Robot at finish line is looking inside the bag. #fox25
— FOX 25 News Boston (@fox25news) April 16, 2014Update, 8:04 p.m.: Another video of the suspect:
Update, 7:56 p.m.: Transit police on-scene tell Boston.com that a shelter-in-place order is in effect for Boylston Street, and advise those nearby to stay away from windows.
Green Line service continues to bypass the Copley MBTA stop.
Update, 7:40 p.m.: Bomb squad is on the scene:
The #Boston PD Bomb Squad is suiting up to check out a suspicious backpack left near the marathon finish line. pic.twitter.com/uCeZfpT7eQ
— David Meyers (@davidfmeyers) April 15, 2014Bomb squad now on scene investigating backpack pic.twitter.com/3fy7WjxouP
— Ryan Schulteis (@RyanSchulteis) April 15, 2014Update, 7:35 p.m.: Boston Police confirm they are investigating and ask people to avoid the area:
Public Safety Alert: #BPD investigating 2 unattended backpacks found in the area of Boston Marathon Finish Line.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) April 15, 2014Public Safety Alert: #BPD asking pedestrians & motorists to avoid the area in and around the Boston Marathon Finish Line.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) April 15, 2014Update, 7:24 p.m.: WHDH-TV reporter Sarah French posted this video of the alleged suspect on Instagram:
Original Story: WBZ News is reporting that the area near the Boston Marathon finish line was quickly evacuated after two unattended bags were discovered:
WBZ-TV photographers on scene say they saw a man with the backpack screaming "Boston Strong" before police cleared everyone from the area. Witnesses say the man was wearing a long black veil. It is unclear whether or not the man was taken into custody.
The man who left the backpack at finish line, took off his shoes in Copley Sq- then went running up Boylston screaming"Boston Strong" #wcvb
— Mary Saladna (@MaryWCVB) April 15, 2014Breaking: Area near Boston Marathon Finish Line evacuated after backpack left unattended http://t.co/eAsZImNeIf pic.twitter.com/M6sfh62FYK
— WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) April 15, 2014RT @bulldogparrish: Boston marathon finish line evacuated due to susp. backpack. Barefoot man dropped it and ran away pic.twitter.com/GhCuV8nx9L
— Andy Garman (@GarmanSports) April 15, 2014#BREAKING: Police confirm suspicious package near finish line of Boston Marathon. pic.twitter.com/9vjI8JIbLp
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) April 15, 2014Police tape going up after guy ran at finish line with black back pack. I grabbed @bostonpolice officer & they took him away
— Ryan Schulteis (@RyanSchulteis) April 15, 2014The @bostonpolice department confirms there are 2 unattended backpacks at the finish line that have caused the evacuations. #wbz
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) April 15, 2014The area near the street, as well as Copley Square station, have been closed. The MBTA advises riders use Hynes or Arlington for service.
#MBTA Green line trains by passing Copley station due to @bostonpolice investigation #Boston
— MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) April 15, 2014This story is developing and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
