Explosions Leave Three Dead, Dozens Injured; Police Continue to Hunt for Clues

A full day after a pair of bombings at the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured over 100, authorities still had not named a suspect in what President Obama called "an act of terrorism."

• Two marathon runners from Martha's Vineyard were reported to be safe after the apparent bombings.
• An Edgartown man's son finished the marathon well ahead of the explosions.

12 blocks around Copley Square are expected to remain locked down for days as law enforcement officials continue their search for who is responsible for detonating two explosives near the race's finish line. No group has been linked to the attack.

Several victims, including an 8-year-old boy who died, were children. The boy, Martin Richard of Dorchester, was reportedly at the race to watch his father, Bill, run the marathon. His mother and sister were also reportedly injured in the explosions.

 also died as a result of the blast, multiple sources have confirmed. She was a 2001 graduate of Medford High.

Related Stories:

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• Medford Native Killed in Boston Marathon Bombings
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• Joe Andruzzi Embodies Patriot Way; Carries Woman to Safety During Monday’s Marathon Bombing
• How to Help Boston Marathon Victims
• Prayer Vigils and Services: Response to the Boston Marathon Bombings
• Suspicious Package Holds Plane at Logan
• Boston Schools Superintendent Shares Tips for Talking with Kids about Marathon Bombing
• Braintree Police Officer Eyes Chaos of Marathon Explosions
• Charlestown Marathon Runner 'Grateful To Be Alive'
• Blast 'Emotionally Taking a Toll' on 'Zombie'-Like Marathon Runner
• '3 Guys in Front of Me Flew Off the Ground'
• Suspicious Vehicle Containing Propane Tanks Found in Canton
• Mourners Headed to Running Shops Following Blasts 
• Newport Victim in Boston Bombing Identified by Friends
• Milton Native Sends Prayers to Boston from NHL Ice
• Report: Stoneham Brothers Seriously Injured in Marathon Bombings
• Two Boston College Graduate Students Injured in Marathon explosions
• Milton Runner Separated from Wife by Boston Marathon Bombs

The FBI has issued a national tip line for any information related to today's bombings. Anyone with information can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), and select prompt #3.

"No piece of information or detail is too small," wrote the FBI in the release.

Updates Below

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1:22 p.m. - Park Plaza Castle has been set up as resource and information center. 

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12:40 p.m. - Statement from Massachusetts General Hospital: MGH Blood Donor Center:

The outpouring of support from MGHers who wish to help in the wake of yesterday's tragic events has been overwhelming. We thank you and appreciate your willingness to lend a hand and desire to make a difference. Many have already visited the MGH Blood Donor Center, or planned to donate sometime this week. However, those interested in helping by donating blood at the MGH can be of greatest benefit by marking their calendar to donate instead either one or two weeks from today. Because blood is stored, it is important to replace supplies over the course of time. We know from the 9/11 experience that when too many donors give blood too soon that it unbalances the system. Staff at the Blood Donor Center will be happy to schedule an appointment for later April or in May. The MGH also is well-supported by the American Red Cross and those interested in donated to the Red Cross should be sure to call first in order to not overwhelm their capacity.

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12:07 p.m. - Report: NECN says bombs were pressure cookers filled with metal ball bearings.

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11:40 a.m. President Barack Obama called the bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line “an act of terrorism” and a “heinous and cowardly act,” during a short press briefing.

“Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is terror,” he said.

Obama said the government continues to mobilize to protect citizens and investigate the attack.

The president added that investigators are not sure whether the terrorism was domestic or foreign and whether it was conducted by an organization or an individual.

“We will find whoever harmed our citizens and we will bring them to justice,” Obama said.

Obama said there will be further briefings by law enforcement officials as the day progresses.

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11:04 a.m @BostonGlobe reports that "Brigham and Women's doctor says Boston Marathon bombs included intentionally placed shrapnel." A doctor quoted as saying, "There is no question that some of these objects were implanted in the device for the purpose of being exploded forward."

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10:45 a.m. WCVB is reporting the remaining two victims' identities are expected to be released by medical examiner later today

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10:27 a.m. Police were called to the corner of Boylston and Dalton streets in Boston at approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a suspicious package. Initial reports, not from police, indicated that the package was found in front of Capital Grille and had wires sticking out of it. A police bomb squad is on the scene. 

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10 a.m. At a press conference this morning, Boston Police said that 176 people were injured in Monday's explosions. Three were killed, and 17 remain in critical condition.

No one is in custody at this time, and no additional threats have been identified, according to police.

"We will go to the ends of the earth to identify the subject or subjects who are responsible for this despicable crime," FBI Special Agent Rick DesLauriers said.

"We have a city that's resilient, a city that's working together," added Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. "One incident will not mark the city's history."

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9:40 a.m. Gov. Deval Patrick has orderd that the U.S. flag and Commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings until further notice.

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8:50 a.m. Prudential Center, near the explosion sites, reports it is open today, but access is limited to Huntington Avenue entrance. Retailers can open at their discretion. 

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8:40 a.m. Information and resource center is open at 9 a.m. today at Park Plaza Castle. Find out more here. 

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8:05 a.m. Here's a list of school closings in the city today, including Emerson College and UMass-Boston.

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7:55 a.m. The Trinity Episcopoal Church in Milford, at the corner of Congress and Exchange streets, will hold an interfaith prayer at 7 p.m. tonight.

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7:50 a.m. Interfaith service planned at Arlington Street Church, 25 Arlington St., at 8 p.m. tonight. 

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7:40 a.m. The Boston Herald is reporting this morning that Boston Police, along with FBI, Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents, along with Homeland Security investigator assembled on two buildings at an Ocean Avenue apartment complex in Revere last night. 

The Herald is reporting it's unclear if the search was connected to the Boston Marathon bombings and media on scene Monday night said no information was given to them. 

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