Jessica Hagstrom

Authorities have released additional information today following yesterday’s nearly simultaneous explosions at the Boston Marathon. Three individuals were killed in the attack. Two of the victims have been identified as Martin Richard (8) and Krystle Campbell (29), both from Massachusetts. At least 170 individuals were wounded in the attack, with 17 victims suffering critical injuries. Contrary to initial reports, there are no suspects in the bombing attack. A 22-year-old Saudi national, Abdulrahman Ali Alharbi, quickly became a person of interest after the attacks. He has since been cleared of any involvement and is now considered a witness.

While authorities have not confirmed the type of explosives or devices used in the attack, open source reports indicate the suspect(s) utilized a pressure cooker in at least one of the devices. The following has been reported thus far:

  • Authorities reportedly found pieces of a pressure cooker at the scene of the explosions.
  • Two pressure cookers were reportedly placed in separate backpacks and left at two locations about 550 feet apart from one another.
  • Doctors report the removal of flat nails and round projectiles, similar to ball bearings, from victims’ limbs. This indicates the devices were likely packed with shrapnel to inflict mass casualties.
  • Hospital officials stated many victims arrived with severe injuries to lower extremities, which suggests the devices were placed on the ground, in proximity to the victims.

The MSA Research and Intelligence Analysis Team is continuing to follow this situation and emerging details closely, and has provided the following implications.

Though the use of this type of device has yet to be confirmed in the Boston attacks, pressurized cookers are commonly used in attacks overseas. A 2010 report issued by the Department of Homeland Security warned of the potential use of this tactic, highlighting its use in places such as Afghanistan and Southwest Asia. Guidelines for building this type of device are easily accessible online. Notably, the first issue of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s English-language Inspire magazine suggests the use of a pressurized cooker to deliver an explosive blast, as outlined in the article titled, “How to Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom,” (excerpt pictured here):

Similar high-profile plots and attacks using pressure cookers include Faisal Shahzad’s failed Times Square bombing in 2010 and the thwarted 2011 plot to attack Fort Hood soldiers, planned by U.S. Army Private Jason Naser Abdo. Additionally, Taimour Abdulwahab, the 2010 Stockholm suicide bomber, used pressure cookers to attack shoppers in central Stockholm. Both the explosives worn in his backpack and placed in his car were contained in pressure cookers, but the devices failed to properly detonate.

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